Home loans could remain affordable for the foreseeable future, as the recent below-expected inflation figures make it highly unlikely the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) will raise interest rates at next week's meeting.

Over the three months ending in December, the consumer prices index advanced 0.4 per cent, well below the predicted 0.8 per cent, with www.news.com.au reporting inflation for the whole 12 months stood at 2.7 per cent.

Maintaining the current benchmark rate should mean home loans charges do not leap, indicating users of credit cards and others will be able to maintain outgoings at a sustainable level.

CommSec chief economist Craig James observed it is "certainly very encouraging for homeowners that interest rates are going to remain unchanged for some time".

Some commentators warned banks' rates could rise as a result of the recent devastating floods in Queensland, which have pushed the price of consumables higher and might place upwards pressure on inflation.