The 10 cheapest towns in NSW to buy a house

An analysis of the last 12 months of property sales has revealed the 10 cheapest towns in New South Wales to buy a house, with the central-west region scoring several entries.

While these towns might not have the same employment opportunities and amenities of bigger urban locations, as you can see below, they do have their charms.

1. Broken Hill

753 Beryl Street, Broken Hill, is currently on the market for $120,000.

Broken Hill is regarded by many as the quintessential outback Australian town.

So far west it’s in a different time zone to Sydney – it’s much closer to Adelaide, in fact –  the mining town of Broken Hill takes out top honour of New South Wales’ cheapest town to buy a house in, with a median price of $130,000.

Despite the contraction of the industry in the area, Broken Hill remains Australian longest-running mining town with silver ore discovered there in 1883. Contamination from the mines remains an issue, particularly lead contamination, but there are signs that an early invention program is having a positive impact.

Broken Hill is known for its galleries and local art scene, as a filming location for well-known Aussie flicks like Wake in Fright, Max Max 2: The Road Warrior and The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, and it’s a major base for the Royal Flying Doctor Service.

Median house price: $130,000

Distance from Sydney: 1,144km west

Population: 17,589

2. Coonamble

13 Zoccoli St, Coonamble, is currently on the market for $70,000.

Coonamble is a base for the sheep farming industry, and is also known for its annual Rodeo and Campdraft, the largest in the southern hemisphere.

Around 165 kilometres north of Dubbo, it’s home to an airport, art gallery, and the Nickname Hall of Fame.

Median house price: $135,000

Distance from Sydney: 527km north west

Population: 2,409

3. Warren

18 Readford Street, Warren, is currently on the market for $127,000.

Also north of Dubbo, the town of Warren in the Orana region is a wool and cotton-growing centre.

The Macquarie River runs through the town, which is dotted with Art Deco buildings, providing some great spots to go fishing.

The town is due to host the NSW Country Rugby Union Championships in the next few weeks.

Median house price: $160,000

Distance from Sydney: 499 km north west

Population: 1,530

4. Coonabarabran

5 Gordon Street, Coonabarabran, is currently on the market for $150,000.

Coonabarabran, in the Warrumungle Shire, has been dubbed the ‘Astronomy Capital of Australia’.

It’s the closest town to the Siding Spring Observatory, which houses the biggest optical telescope in the country and hosts the annual Starfest event.

The town also serves as a base to go bushwalking in the Warrumbungle National Park, or to go bird-watching in the Pilliga State Forest.

Median house price: $167,750

Distance from Sydney: 455km north west

Population: 2,537

5. Wellington

54 Zouch Street, Wellington, is currently on the market for $145,000.

Wellington is the second-oldest town west of the Blue Mountains. It’s also the birthplace of actor Max Cullen and author Colleen McCullough.

Surrounded by beef, sheep, and wheat farming, the town has Cameron Park at its centre, as well as some notable historical buildings and a nearby winery.

It’s also home to a recently-opened correctional centre.

Median house price: $170,000

Distance from Sydney: 352km north west

Population: 4,519

6. Bombala

10-16 Plunkett Street, Bombala, is currently on the market for $240,000.

Propelled by timber and tourism, Bombala sits on Bombala River and is known as platypus country, due to the relatively large number of the animals found in the area.

The town is home to the grand former Olympia Cinema – which has been converted into a gym, and was listed for sale for $250,000 at the end of 2017.

Median house price: $180,000

Distance from Sydney: 484km south

Population: 1,197

7. Harden

The Old Rectory at 40 Iris Street Harden, is a bit above the median price, currently advertised at $480,000.

Harden is the name of the railway station that was built close to the town of Murrumburrah in 1877 – now both towns exist side by side and often referred to together as Harden-Murrumburrah.

It’s close to Yass and is a 3.5 hour drive south-west of Sydney.

These twin towns are home to a historical museum and Light Horse war memorial, and are close the foodie destination of Young.

Median house price: $182,500

Distance from Sydney: 341km south west

Population: 1,964

8. Gilgandra

47 Waugan St, Gilgandra, is currently on the market for $120,000.

Like Coonabarabran, Gilgandra is also located on the Castlereagh River and is surrounded by farmland. It was known as the Windmill Town due to it having a lot of them – with about 300 counted in the 1950s.

It’s also close to the Sliding Springs Observatory and the Warrumbungle National Park, and home to a horse race in January and an autumn agricultural show.

Median house price: $185,000

Distance from Sydney: 432km north west

Population: 2,595

9. Grenfell

782 Quondong Road, Grenfell, is currently on the market for $220,000.

A gold rush town, Grenfell is the birthplace of poet Henry Lawson and hosts the annual Grenfell Henry Lawson Festival.

It’s also the location of the Big Gold Pick and Pan, one of Australia’s many famous “big things” which is exactly what is sounds like – as well as an historical museum, museum of Chrysler Cars and an art gallery.

Median house price: $190,000

Distance from Sydney: 362km west

Population: 1,973

10. Nyngan

45 Flashman Ave, Nyngan, is currently on the market for $310,000.

Nyngan is on the banks of the Bogan River, and is probably best known for the devastating floods that hit the town in 1990.

Based on sheep and wheat farming, it’s home to several museums and a nearby solar plant.

In 2015, the town unveiled ‘the Big Bogan‘, a statue of a man in a singlet with a mullet and a Southern Cross tattoo.

Median house price: $190,000

Distance from Sydney: 555km north west

Population: 1,988