Neil Casey
Lake Illawarra, NSW+21
Brisbane · South Brisbane
Fairfield is a quiet, leafy inner-city suburb prized for its blend of family-friendly living and urban convenience. Nestled in a bend of the Brisbane River, it offers abundant parkland and recreational space while being just five kilometres from the CBD. The suburb features a mix of charming, renovated Queenslanders and modern apartments, attracting young professionals, academics, and growing families.
Market snapshot
Price register · May 2026
Median house
$1.15M - $1.55M
Mid-band $1.35Mspread 30%
Browse agencies across Australia to find the perfect team for your property journey.
Create your free profile and connect with motivated buyers actively searching for expert guidance in your area.
Create Your Free ProfileLast reviewed 13 May 2026
Median unit
$725,000 - $1,000,000
Mid-band $863Kspread 32%
Days on market
~25-57 days
Median listing-to-sold window. Shorter = tighter buyer field.
Auction clearance
Private-treaty market
Share of auctions sold. Brisbane skews private-treaty.
Rental yield
2.0% to 3.0%
Gross yield on house stock. Premium suburbs compress.
5-year house-price growth
+43% to +63%
cumulative since 2021Who buys here
Young professionals · Growing families · Academics and university staff
5-year trend
Modelled trajectory anchored on aggregated 5-year median figures. Indicative; not month-by-month observed data.
Market analysis
The Fairfield property market is characterized by a compelling dynamic of scarcity and high demand, which has driven significant capital growth. The median house price now sits at $1.35M, with units at $865,750 as of May 2026. A key feature of the market is its tightly held nature; with long average hold periods and low levels of available stock for sale, properties that do come to market are met with strong buyer interest. This supply constraint is a primary driver of price appreciation, with house values seeing a 17.4% increase over the past year.
Demand is fueled by the suburb's prime location, just 5km from the CBD, and its proximity to major employment hubs like the University of Queensland (UQ) and the Princess Alexandra Hospital. This makes it a magnet for professionals, academics, and medical staff. The market is not without its challenges for certain buyer types, however. The strong capital growth has resulted in relatively low rental yields, with houses returning around 2.5%, making it less attractive for investors purely focused on cash flow. Affordability has also become stretched, potentially moderating future demand if income growth or lending conditions do not keep pace.
Despite this, the fundamental drivers remain robust. Limited new supply, due to the established nature of the suburb and a low ratio of new building approvals, ensures that scarcity will continue to be a defining feature. Properties are selling in an average of 41 days, indicating a market that still has momentum, albeit not as frenetic as the peak. The 2011 floods had a significant impact, and while the area has fully recovered, savvy buyers remain conscious of flood mapping, which creates distinct value tiers within the suburb. Overall, Fairfield presents a strong case for long-term capital growth, underpinned by its desirable location, lifestyle amenities, and constrained supply.
Fairfield's tightly held, supply-constrained market offers a compelling thesis for long-term capital growth driven by its prime inner-city riverside location.
Why a buyers agent
In a market as nuanced as Fairfield's, a buyer's agent provides a critical advantage. The suburb's history with flooding means that a property's exact location and elevation can dramatically affect its value and risk profile, a detail often lost on unassisted buyers. An expert can navigate flood-overlay maps and local knowledge to distinguish a premium riverside location from a high-risk one. Furthermore, with properties being so tightly held and stock levels low, many of the best opportunities are sold off-market. A well-connected agent has access to these pre-market listings, giving their clients a significant head start. They can also provide data-driven advice on value, helping buyers avoid overpaying in a competitive environment where emotion can easily take over. An agent's understanding of local council zoning and development potential is also key to identifying properties with future upside.
Located just 5km from the Brisbane CBD, Fairfield offers an easy commute and access to city amenities while retaining a peaceful, suburban feel.
With the Brisbane River as its border and nearly 20% of the suburb dedicated to parkland, residents enjoy an active, outdoor lifestyle with extensive walking paths, cycleways, and parks.
The suburb is a short distance from the University of Queensland (via the Green Bridge), the PA Hospital, and other major hospitals, making it ideal for academics and medical professionals.
A tightly held market with consistently low housing supply and high demand provides a strong foundation for long-term property value appreciation.
With its own train station on the Beenleigh line and multiple high-frequency bus routes, Fairfield offers residents convenient and reliable public transport options.
Compare
| Metric | This suburbFairfield | NearbyAnnerley | NearbySouth Brisbane |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median house | $1.15M - $1.55M | $1.25M - $1.65M | $700,000 - $950,000 |
| Median unit | $725,000 - $1,000,000 | $675,000 - $925,000 | $650,000 - $900,000 |
| Auction clearance | — | — | 71% to 81% |
| Days on market | ~25-57 days | ~16-38 days | ~13-29 days |
| Year-on-year growth | +12% to +22% | +3% to +13% | +14% to +24% |
| 5-year growth | +43% to +63% | +83% to +103% | +44% to +64% |
| Rental yield | 2.0% to 3.0% | 2.2% to 3.2% | 4.1% to 5.1% |
| Postcode | 4103 | 4103 | 4101 |
Snapshot date varies by suburb; see individual suburb pages for figures.
The place
Fairfield is a premier inner-south suburb of Brisbane, located just 5.8 kilometres from the CBD. Its character is defined by leafy, quiet streets and significant green space, which covers almost 20% of its 1.3 square kilometre area. A major drawcard is the Brisbane River, with the Brisbane Corso providing extensive walking and cycling paths, picnic areas, and stunning views.
While there are no schools located within Fairfield itself, it is well-serviced by highly regarded schools in adjacent suburbs, including Dutton Park State School, Junction Park State School in Annerley, and Yeronga State High School. Its proximity to the University of Queensland's St Lucia campus, directly accessible via the Eleanor Schonell (Green) Bridge, makes it a popular choice for university staff and students.
Transport connectivity is excellent. Fairfield railway station is on the Beenleigh line, offering frequent services to the CBD and Gold Coast. The area is also serviced by major bus routes, including the high-frequency 196 service.
For shopping and local amenities, Fairfield Gardens is the central hub, containing a Coles supermarket, a variety of specialty stores, and the Fairfield Library. The suburb boasts numerous parks, including the J.F. O'Grady Memorial Park which features a popular skate park. This combination of riverside lifestyle, abundant parkland, and outstanding connectivity makes Fairfield a highly sought-after residential enclave.
Frequently asked
Keep exploring
The 5-year trajectory is a modelled curve anchored on the documented cumulative growth rate. Editorial review: 13 May 2026. Updated quarterly.
Verified professionals serving Fairfield
