Awaba vs Rathmines
Awaba (median $745,000) is roughly 14% cheaper to buy into than Rathmines ($870,000). Over the past year, Rathmines (+2.4%) ran 1.1 percentage points ahead of Awaba (+1.3%) on house-price growth.
Buying in Awaba or Rathmines?
Selling in Awaba? The free selling guide
Awaba and Rathmines side by side
| Measure | Awaba | Rathmines |
|---|---|---|
| Price and market | ||
| Median house | $745,000 | $870,000 |
| Median unit | $277,200 | $277,200 |
| House price change, 12 months | +1.3% | +2.4% |
| Renting | ||
| House rent | $660/wk | $660/wk |
| Unit rent | $520/wk | $520/wk |
| Owner occupied | 89.0% | 85.0% |
| Renter occupied | 8.0% | 14.0% |
| Schools | ||
| Schools nearby | 20 | 20 |
| Average ICSEA | 968 | 984 |
| Lifestyle and people | ||
| Walk score | 0 | 0 |
| Transit score | 10 | 0 |
| Bike score | 0 | 30 |
| Population | 430 | 2,076 |
| Median age | 40 | 47 |
| Climate | ||
| Annual rainfall | 1066 mm | 1115 mm |
| Mean max, January | 28.5°C | 27.9°C |
Green dot: better on that measure (lower price, higher growth, higher walkability, lower risk). Each suburb’s profile gives the source and period of its figures.
Which suits whom
On school quality, the average ICSEA across schools serving Rathmines (984) sits above Awaba (968).
- For buyers
- Awaba is the lower entry point at $745,000 median, 14% below the other suburb. For first home buyers, that translates to a smaller deposit and lower stamp duty bill.
- For investors
- Investors face a yield-versus-growth split: Awaba delivers the better gross yield (4.61% vs 3.94%), but Rathmines has run faster on capital growth this year. The right pick depends on whether you're optimising for cash flow or capital appreciation.
- For families
- Rathmines edges out on average school ICSEA (984 vs 968).
Awaba vs Rathmines: common questions
Is Awaba or Rathmines cheaper to buy in?
Awaba has the lower median house price at $745,000, roughly 14% below Rathmines ($870,000). The gap on units is usually similar but worth checking on the full suburb profiles.
Which has stronger property growth, Awaba or Rathmines?
Over the past 12 months, Rathmines grew +2.4% vs +1.3% in Awaba, a gap of 1.1 percentage points. Twelve-month growth can swing year to year, so weight long-run trends from the individual suburb profiles before making a buy decision.
Does Awaba or Rathmines have better schools?
On average school ICSEA (the ACARA index that benchmarks educational advantage), Rathmines scores 984 vs 968 in Awaba. ICSEA is a school-community indicator, not a quality rating, so always check NAPLAN results and catchment boundaries for the specific address you're considering.
Which suburb has higher rental yield, Awaba or Rathmines?
Gross rental yield on houses is 4.61% in Awaba vs 3.94% in Rathmines. Gross yield equals annual rent divided by purchase price. Net yield (after strata, rates, insurance, agent fees and maintenance) typically runs 1.5-2 percentage points lower.
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