Median weekly rents are calculated by the RTA and provide information on typical rents for recently rented 1, 2 and 3 bedroom flats or units, 2, 3 and 4 bedroom houses in an area and 2 and 3 bedroom townhouses in some areas.

Median weekly rent data is based on an analysis of information gathered from new rental bond lodgements in each quarter. The data is collected from rental bond lodgement forms which do not gather information on the state or age of the premises or any inclusions provided or facilities that may be available.

What is a median?
A median is the middle number of a series of numbers that are ordered from smallest to largest. Therefore, fifty percent of rents are above the median while fifty percent are below.

Why does the RTA use a median and not an average weekly rent?
The RTA uses medians rather than averages as medians are not affected by unusually high or low values in a series whereas averages are affected by unusually high or low values in a series.