New Insure&Go research finds 46 per cent of Australians who don’t own property would still choose travel over buying a home in 2026, though the preference has softened notably from 60 per cent in 2024.
Younger travellers and expensive markets show strongest preference
The research, based on a nationally representative panel of 1,006 Australians, found the preference for travel is strongest among 18 to 34-year-olds, at 51 per cent, compared with 44 per cent of 35 to 54-year-olds and 40 per cent of those aged 55 and over. By state, the preference was strongest in Queensland at 50 per cent and NSW at 48 per cent, Australia’s two most expensive property markets.
Madhvi Mishra, Insure&Go spokesperson, said travel continues to hold strong value for many Australians despite cost pressures. “For many, it’s more than discretionary spending; it’s an investment in personal growth, wellbeing and creating meaningful experiences, which is why people continue to plan and save for trips despite cost-of-living pressures,” Mishra said.
Preference has cooled significantly since 2024
The share of respondents choosing travel over property has fallen 14 percentage points since 2024, when 60 per cent said they would prioritise travel. The drop was sharpest among 35 to 54-year-olds, down from 65 per cent to 44 per cent, and among under-35s, down from 71 per cent to 51 per cent.
Mishra attributed the shift to rising travel costs, partly driven by higher fuel prices, alongside a property market that has moved more in buyers’ favour. “Geopolitical volatility tends to dampen travel demand,” Mishra said.
For travel advisors and suppliers, the research points to continued underlying demand for travel among non-property owners, particularly younger and Queensland and NSW-based clients, even as overall enthusiasm cools against a backdrop of rising travel costs and a more accessible property market.
