Melbourne emerges as top Australian city for internal migration in early 2024

Melbourne has become the most popular destination for Australians relocating within the country in the first half of 2024, according to new data from online removalist booking platform Muval.

The Victorian capital experienced positive net migration for the first time since before the COVID-19 pandemic, with inbound moves peaking in February and April.

Muval’s data, which tracks internal migration patterns across Australia, showed Melbourne received 30% of all major metropolitan moves in February and April.

James Morrell, CEO of Muval, said the figures represent a significant shift for Melbourne.

“For the first time since January 2020, Melbourne entered positive net migration in 2024,” Morrell said.

“The last time the city had positive net migration was before the pandemic, and it fell as low as -61% in August 2020 and -64% in September 2021 when thousands fled lockdowns in the city.”

The data also revealed that rising living costs are impacting other major cities, particularly Sydney and Brisbane.

Brisbane, which saw a surge in popularity during the pandemic, has experienced a downturn in net migration, dipping to -13% in April 2024.

Sydney continues to see the largest exodus of residents among major cities, with an average of 30% of all major metropolitan outbound moves originating from the harbour city in the first half of 2024.

Despite the shifts in migration patterns, Muval reported an overall decline in moving activity across Australia.

“Industry-wide moving numbers are down around 20% on the same time last year,” Morrell said.

“The current macro-economic climate of higher interest rates, tight housing affordability and housing shortages are having a cooling effect on moving generally.”

Perth, which had maintained strong positive net migration in recent years, is showing signs of decline. The city’s net migration dropped to +10% in June, down from a pandemic peak of +181%.

Adelaide has seen a slight decrease in outbound migration but remains in negative net migration territory, ranging between -7% and -23% in the first half of 2024.

Muval’s data is considered an early indicator of moving trends in Australia, as people typically enquire about removalist services up to 30 days before they relocate.