World · East Asia & Pacific · 1 hr ago
Bluey's Heelers Would Find Fewer Affordable Perth Homes in 2026
The fictional Heeler family from Bluey were used to examine what a move to Perth might cost.
The estimate assumed Bandit and Chilli earned a combined $165,000 a year in 2024.
Using a common rule that housing should cost no more than 30 per cent of take-home pay, the family could afford a home priced at $760,000 or rent of $952 a week.
Based on three-bedroom home prices, they could buy in 149 of 302 Perth suburbs in 2024, or rent in 276.
By 2026, their estimated buying limit rose to $800,000 and rent limit to $1,154 a week, but only 50 suburbs remained affordable to buy out of the 149 they could afford in 2024.
The analysis says the family would have 30 affordable suburbs south of the river and 20 north, and that having two children could further limit their borrowing.
The figures highlight how rising housing costs can push real families toward long-term renting; WA has announced tenancy reforms, but they have not yet become law.
A comparison found the fictional Heeler family could afford to buy a three-bedroom home in 50 Perth suburbs in 2026, down from 149 in 2024.
Their estimated 2026 budget was up to $800,000 to buy or $1,154 a week to rent.
The analysis said housing costs had risen significantly, leaving the family priced out of 99 suburbs that had been affordable in 2024.
It estimated the family could afford homes in 20 suburbs north of the river and 30 south.
The article said the Heelers’ borrowing capacity could be lower if their two children were taken into account.
- Who
- The fictional Heeler family from Bluey: Bandit, Chilli, Bluey and Bingo.
- What
- An analysis compared the Perth suburbs where the family could afford to buy or rent a three-bedroom home in 2024 and 2026.
- When
- The comparison covered 2024 and 2026. The article was published on October 30, 2026.
- Where
- Perth, Western Australia.
- Why
- Housing costs rose significantly, reducing the number of suburbs affordable to the family.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
In a Bluey episode, the Heeler family consider moving from their Brisbane home “out west”.
Using estimated annual earnings of $165,000, the analysis found the family could afford to buy in 149 suburbs and rent in 276.
The analysis estimated the family could afford a home purchase up to $800,000 or rent of $1,154 a week.
The analysis found that only 50 of the 149 suburbs affordable in 2024 remained within the family’s estimated purchase budget.
- Estimated income in 2024
- $165,000 a year
- Purchase budget in 2024
- $760,000
- Rental budget in 2024
- $952 a week
- Purchase budget in 2026
- $800,000
- Rental budget in 2026
- $1,154 a week
- Affordable suburbs in 2026
- 50 of the 149 affordable in 2024
What people are saying
Of the 149 suburbs that were affordable in 2024, Bluey’s family have been priced out of 99, leaving just 50 affordable – oh biscuits!
Addressing housing affordability is an important goal for successive governments