Cobar has been named as the second cheapest town in the country when it comes to rental prices. 

Recent data from Domain found that Cobar is the second-cheapest postcode to rent nationally at a median rent of $180 per week for a unit. 

It’s a close second to Millicent in South Australia, which has been dubbed the cheapest at $180 for a unit. 

Cobar real estate agent Zandria Chmura said that the industry around the town makes it affordable for certain workers. 

We have a lot of mines that subsidise their houses which makes it cheaper, as well as a lot of teacher and police housing,” Ms Chmura said. 

Like in many local towns, low prices doesn’t necessarily translate into availability. 

“Yesterday for example, I had seven suitable applicants but obviously only one could get the house.”

“At the moment the availability versus the demand is quite a significant gap.”

Being a renter herself, Ms Chmura said cheap rent alone isn’t enough of a drawcard to bring people to Cobar without good work. 

“By the time you can have a pet friendly house that’s big enough for a family, it gets to a point where you have to weigh up whether it’s worth it.”

“Yes, your rent might be cheaper but the cost of living is more expensive.”

“In Sydney they’ve got natural gas lines, where all gas here is LPG bottles, which works out quite a bit more expensive.”

“The food is more expensive, we call it travel taxes.”

According to Domain, 2024 holds hope for renters, with predictions that rental prices are holding steady after a year of rising levels.