A report from CoreLogic identified regional towns where the unemployment rate was below four per cent, with a large job market and also looked at house prices.

Wellington was top of the list, while Dubbo was 10^th, in a positive sign for the region.

CoreLogic head of research Tim Lawless said with housing affordability an increasing challenge, especially for first homebuyers, regional markets were likely to become more attractive.

“For many people, considering a move involves much more than simply relocating – most will require secure employment and in a region that is proximate to a variety of amenity and essential services such as schools, health care and shopping facilities, particularly if they have a family, or are considering starting a family,” Mr Lawless said.

The data showed Wellington was not just affordable, but was also a market that was getting stronger.

The median house price was just $212,221, an increase of 6.4 per cent over the last 12 months. A total of 195 houses were sold in the 12 months to February.

Dubbo also scored well with its median value of $347,291, growth of 1.3 per cent over a year.

The unemployment rate for the region was down to 2.2 per cent.

Real Estate Institute Orana’s Bob Berry said there were some very positive signs, especially for Wellington.

“In October 2016 the administrator asked me to attend some workshops at Wellington and there was a lot of uncertainty there about the town. People were saying prices never rise and houses were on the market for almost a year before selling,” Mr Berry said.

“Now selling times are down to around 155 days and things are looking very positive.

“There was a lot of concern about the amalgamation but the development at the jail, and the extra money from the state government and the council for the amalgamation has done wonders.”

Mr Berry said a strengthening in the rural sector, through livestock and wool prices, had also helped restore confidence in the region, despite drought conditions getting worse.

Dubbo Regional Council mayor Ben Shields said the report was fantastic news.

“The region’s reputation as a place to live and do business is starting to gain traction,” he said.

“All over the state people are talking about the reset button that Dubbo and Wellington have pressed where we have a new “open for business” attitude.”

However Mr Shields said there was still room for improvement.

“While these figures are fantastic now, we still have a long way to go with growth.  From my point of view we should be using this as a springboard to further encourage more people to embrace the Dubbo Region as the place to be. 

“We need to all be using this report as a way to tell Sydney-siders that the Dubbo lifestyle means having affordable housing, being able to get to work in a short amount of time while also having the same services and opportunities as Sydney.”