Opposition Leader Peter Dutton has nudged ahead of Anthony Albanese as preferred prime minister for the first time, as voters vent anger about cost-of-living pressures.

In the latest Resolve poll for Nine newspapers, released late on Sunday, Dutton had a narrow lead of 36 per cent over Albanese on 35 per cent.

Dutton’s support increased from 32 to 36 per cent over the month while Albanese’s dropped from 40 to 35 per cent.

The number of undecided voters rose slightly from 28 to 30 per cent.

It was the first time the Liberal leader has pulled ahead of Albanese in the Resolve Political Monitor.

The results also showed 40 per cent of voters ranking Dutton and the Coalition as best to manage the economy – compared to only 24 per cent for Albanese and Labor.

On another key measure, 42 per cent favoured Dutton and the Coalition to manage national security and defence, compared with 23 per cent for Albanese and Labor, Nine newspapers report.

Labor’s primary vote fell from 29 per cent to 28 per cent over the month – its lowest in three years – while core support for the Coalition was unchanged at 36 per cent.

Primary support for the Greens lifted from 12 to 14 per cent.

Resolve director Jim Reed told Nine newspapers Dutton was making significant gains and was not suffering a backlash for his climate stance.

“The important point is not Dutton’s narrow lead, but that he’s drawn level at all when this measure typically favours fresh incumbents,” Reed said.

“There are many voters who will be aghast because they made up their minds about Dutton a long time ago and aren’t for changing. But he’s coming through loud and clear to a lot of voters on the issues that matter to them.”

Reed said when voters were asked who would do a better job of keeping the cost of living low, 32 per cent favoured Dutton and the Coalition and 25 per cent backed Albanese and Labor.

“Some of the comments we collect are becoming quite angry. We’re also beginning to see a more specific focus on the cost of housing and rents, as well as growing unease with job security,” he said.

The Resolve Political Monitor surveyed 1607 eligible voters from Tuesday to Saturday.