Balaclava vs Braemar
Braemar (median $980,000) is roughly 2% cheaper to buy into than Balaclava ($1,001,250). Over the past year, Balaclava (+15.1%) ran 7.4 percentage points ahead of Braemar (+7.7%) on house-price growth.
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Balaclava and Braemar side by side
| Measure | Balaclava | Braemar |
|---|---|---|
| Price and market | ||
| Median house | $1,001,250 | $980,000 |
| Median unit | $343,440 | $343,440 |
| House price change, 12 months | +15.1% | +7.7% |
| Renting | ||
| House rent | $750/wk | $750/wk |
| Owner occupied | 76.0% | 69.0% |
| Renter occupied | 22.0% | 30.0% |
| Schools | ||
| Schools nearby | 16 | 13 |
| Average ICSEA | 1037 | 1024 |
| Lifestyle and people | ||
| Walk score | 0 | 4 |
| Transit score | 0 | 0 |
| Bike score | 5 | 5 |
| Population | 574 | 966 |
| Median age | 40 | 34 |
| Climate | ||
| Annual rainfall | 852 mm | 823 mm |
| Mean max, January | 25.9°C | 26.0°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
Braemar scores higher on walkability (0/100 vs 4/100 ), useful if you're optimising for a car-light household. On school quality, the average ICSEA across schools serving Balaclava (1037) sits above Braemar (1024).
- For buyers
- Braemar is the lower entry point at $980,000 median, 2% 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: Braemar delivers the better gross yield (3.98% vs 3.90%), but Balaclava 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
- Balaclava edges out on average school ICSEA (1037 vs 1024).
Balaclava vs Braemar: common questions
Is Balaclava or Braemar cheaper to buy in?
Braemar has the lower median house price at $980,000, roughly 2% below Balaclava ($1,001,250). The gap on units is usually similar but worth checking on the full suburb profiles.
Which has stronger property growth, Balaclava or Braemar?
Over the past 12 months, Balaclava grew +15.1% vs +7.7% in Braemar, a gap of 7.4 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 Balaclava or Braemar have better schools?
On average school ICSEA (the ACARA index that benchmarks educational advantage), Balaclava scores 1037 vs 1024 in Braemar. 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 is more walkable, Balaclava or Braemar?
Braemar scores 4/100 on walkability vs 0/100. Above 70 is considered very walkable (most errands on foot), 50-69 is walkable for some errands, below 50 typically requires a car for daily life.
Which suburb has higher rental yield, Balaclava or Braemar?
Gross rental yield on houses is 3.98% in Braemar vs 3.90% in Balaclava. 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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