As State of Origin rivalry heats up ahead of the decider on 9 July, Queenslanders won’t be surprised to hear they’ve already scored a massive win – in the enviable lifestyle game.
According to interstate migration data analysed by the Real Estate Institute of Queensland (REIQ), New South Wales residents are packing up and heading north in droves, confirming what locals have always known: Queensland is the place to be.
REIQ CEO Antonia Mercorella said New South Wales was experiencing the largest net loss of residents in the country, and many of them are heading straight for the Sunshine State.
“It seems when it comes to Queensland’s lifestyle, the Blues are turning green with envy,” Ms Mercorella said.
“Whether you bleed blue or maroon, the scoreboard doesn’t lie… people are voting with their feet, and they’re moving to Queensland.
“Queensland’s liveability, relative housing affordability, and economic momentum are hard to beat, and the migration figures reflect that – Queensland is the clear winner.”
The latest population data from ABS (reporting on the year to December 2024) reveals Queensland gained 25,940 people through interstate migration, while New South Wales lost 28,118 people – many of them ending up in Queensland.[1]
In fact, New South Wales accounted for 60.2% of Queensland’s net interstate migration gain of 29,900 in 2023–24, with 18,000 residents crossing the border from NSW to QLD.[2]
Ms Mercorella said these migration trends have been building for years, with the momentum accelerating post-pandemic, driven by lifestyle preferences, affordability pressures, and the appeal of Queensland’s decentralised population centres.
“Brisbane is no longer just the ‘up-and-comer’ capital city – it’s arrived. With years of Olympic-led development ahead, infrastructure upgrades, and international attention, Queensland is absolutely in its prime,” she said.
“But the appeal of Queensland is not just limited to our capital city, with more and more people looking to experience life beyond the big smoke.
“Queensland’s regional markets are firing, with property being snapped up in all corners of our state – from Brisbane to Bundaberg, and Cairns to Toowoomba.
“Recent data shows that more interstate movers are settling outside of Brisbane than within it, with the bulk destined for regional Queensland. In the final quarter of 2024 alone, regional Queensland welcomed 4,317 new residents from interstate, the strongest result in a year, while Brisbane recorded 3,285.[3]
“The fact your dollar goes further in Queensland, particularly in the regions, is a key driver but it’s not the only one. There’s more space, less traffic, more sunshine, and a better work-life balance and people are seeking that out.”
Queensland is also outpacing New South Wales economically. The most recent National Accounts data for the March 2025 quarter show that State Final Demand rose by 0.7% in Queensland, while it fell by 0.1%. in New South Wales.[4]
Over the long run, Queensland’s economic growth rate has also exceeded New South Wales’. Since 1989-90, the earliest year for which Gross State Product (GSP) data are available, Queensland’s economy has grown at an average annual rate of 3.6% compared with only 2.4% for New South Wales.[5]
Ms Mercorella said it’s not just owner-occupiers making the move – Queensland’s property investment appeal is turning heads across the border too.
“Queensland continues to offer strong returns and great value, and investors are taking notice – everyone wants a slice of Sunshine State property,” she said.
“No matter who you back on the field, the real victory is claiming Queensland turf.”
New lending data from Westpac reveals nearly 1 in 4 investment properties in Queensland are now being purchased by New South Wales residents, drawn to our rental yields and greater affordability.[6]
Meanwhile, Queenslanders are staying loyal to the Sunshine State (making up 65% of local investment property purchases) and showing far less interest in New South Wales, with just 1% of New South Wales investment properties purchased by Queenslanders, with nearly 20% of those buying in Bondi.6
The latest ABS lending indicator data shows that Queensland registered the highest annual growth (24% in the year to March 2025) in investor loans (for properties within the state) among all the states. New South Wales recorded 19%.[7]
High interstate migration means that Queensland’s population growth outpaces New South Wales’. In 2024, Queensland’s population increased by 1.9% compared with 1.3% in New South Wales.1
sland is one of only two states, along with Western Australia, with positive net interstate migration, and Queensland’s net interstate migration of 28,100 in 2024 was significantly higher than Western Australia’s of 12,600.1
However, while population growth presents a generational economic opportunity, Ms Mercorella warned it was critical that housing supply and infrastructure kept pace with our growing population.“We should be flinging open our doors to welcome the talent and energy that migration brings. But to do that responsibly, we need to plan better and build faster,” she said.
“Whether people are buying or renting, they’re adding to the demand queue – and that queue is already stretched. We risk turning a win into a loss if we don’t address our housing shortfall with urgency.”
Originally published by the REIQ.