New data has revealed the most popular month to move house and it may not be what you were expecting.

According to information from Budget Direct based on people obtaining home insurance quotes, January has emerged as the most popular month to relocate in Australia than any other month of the year.

So we’re not all on holidays after all.

Budget Direct’s Chief Growth Officer explains that the reasons for January being the most popular time to move house include better weather, longer days thanks to daylight savings and of course, extended school holidays.

The warm weather and longer days are certainly part of the attraction, but many people simply consider January a quieter time of year and when they have more time to move. Those moving interstate are attracted by the longer school break with new terms, an ideal time to change schools and neighbourhoods.”

Jonathan Kerr, Budget Direct

Jonathan points out that with so many people moving house in January, it’s likely that they are purchasing properties or securing rentals in November and December and this could have an effect on house prices and rent.

February and March are the second and third busiest moving months across the states and territories.

Moves by state and territory

• NT – 18.89% of moves are in January. That’s 43% more than March (second busiest month).
• ACT — 17.62% of residents move in January, which is 46.5% more than March (second busiest month).
• TAS — 17.27% of residents house switch in January, which is 50.2% more than March (second busiest month).
• NSW — 13.67% of moves are in January, which is 64.2% more than March (second busiest month).
• QLD — 14.02% of residents move in January, which is 63.2% more than February (second busiest month).
• VIC — 13.68% of residents move home in January, which is 65.5% more than February (second busiest month).
• SA — 15.55% of residents house switch in January, which is 56.3% more than March (second busiest month).
• WA — 15.04% of moves are in January, which is 58.8% more than March (second busiest month).

Interestingly the Budget Direct data also revealed that beach suburbs tend to have the highest rates of moving. In Western Australia, the beach town of Falcon had the highest rate of people relocating at 1.96% and in Queensland, Coomera has the highest moving rate of the state at 1.27%.

Most popular suburbs to move to

• ACT – Holt, 10.71%
• WA – Falcon, 1.96%
• WA – Wangara, 1.74%
• WA – Joondalup, 1.72%
• WA – Armadale, 1.61%
• VIC – Werribee, 1.46%
• VIC – Hoppers Crossing, 1.45%
• VIC – Craigieburn, 1.41%
• QLD – Coomera, 1.27%
• WA – Success, 1.26%

Budget Direct gathered the above information between 2021 and 2023 from people obtaining home insurance quotes across Australia.

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