Study by Muval
South Australia is one of the few states maintaining a stable population, as a new study shows that for every resident leaving the state, another arrives to take their place.
The findings come from the 2025 Muval Index, released by removalist specialists Muval. Drawing on more than 400,000 moving enquiries and a nationally representative survey of 2,000 Australians, the annual report provides a look at migration trends, and where people are moving and why.
South Australia’s South East has proven to be the most popular relocation destination in the country, with an inbound-to-outbound ratio of 1.59. That means for every 100 residents who leave, almost 160 new arrivals move in. The area is known for its affordability, natural beauty and slower pace of life, and these are all factors that are thought to be driving the trend, particularly as living costs continue to rise in capital cities.
The South East was followed by Bunbury in Western Australia (1.55) and the Mid North Coast of New South Wales (1.44), showing that there’s a broader nationwide move towards lifestyle-oriented regional spots.
On the other side of the coin, Darwin had the sharpest population outflow, with a ratio of 0.72. Brisbane’s inner city (0.74) and Sydney’s city and inner south (0.76) also made the list, which isn’t surprising considering the rising cost of living and demand for more space outside dense urban centres.
In South Australia, the Outback was the fifth most common region Australians were leaving, with a ratio of 0.81. Job scarcity, remoteness and limited access to services are likely factors behind the decline.
The Index also revealed Australians are increasingly favouring regional living over capital cities. The ‘rest of South Australia’ came in sixth nationwide with a 1.09 ratio, while Greater Adelaide recorded a slight net outflow at 0.98.
Migration into South Australia’s regions has increased since 2019, led by the South East, which saw a 42 per cent increase in inbound moves from 2023 to 2024. Contrastingly, the Barossa, Yorke and Mid North region recorded a 34 per cent decline after strong post-lockdown growth. Within Greater Adelaide, only Adelaide South posted a positive migration ratio (1.10).
Muval CEO James Morrell shared, “The 2025 Muval Index gives us a real-time lens into how Australians are responding to the pressures and possibilities of a changing world. We’re seeing clear signs that affordability, flexibility and quality of life are reshaping how people choose where to live, and that trend isn’t slowing down.”
To see the full breakdown and read the full study, click here.
