Balaclava vs Colo Vale
Colo Vale (median $1,000,000) is roughly 0% cheaper to buy into than Balaclava ($1,001,250). Over the past year, Colo Vale (+22%) ran 6.9 percentage points ahead of Balaclava (+15.1%) on house-price growth.
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Balaclava and Colo Vale side by side
| Measure | Balaclava | Colo Vale |
|---|---|---|
| Price and market | ||
| Median house | $1,001,250 | $1,000,000 |
| Median unit | $343,440 | $343,440 |
| House price change, 12 months | +15.1% | +22.0% |
| Renting | ||
| House rent | $750/wk | $750/wk |
| Owner occupied | 76.0% | 81.0% |
| Renter occupied | 22.0% | 18.0% |
| Schools | ||
| Schools nearby | 16 | 9 |
| Average ICSEA | 1037 | 1010 |
| Lifestyle and people | ||
| Walk score | 0 | 0 |
| Transit score | 0 | 0 |
| Bike score | 5 | 35 |
| Population | 574 | 1,775 |
| Median age | 40 | 38 |
| Climate | ||
| Annual rainfall | 852 mm | 828 mm |
| Mean max, January | 25.9°C | 26.1°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 Balaclava (1037) sits above Colo Vale (1010).
- For buyers
- Colo Vale is the lower entry point at $1,000,000 median, 0% below the other suburb. For first home buyers, that translates to a smaller deposit and lower stamp duty bill.
- For investors
- Colo Vale carries both higher gross yield (3.90% vs 3.90%) and stronger 12-month growth. On the headline numbers, it's the cleaner investor case of the two.
- For families
- Balaclava edges out on average school ICSEA (1037 vs 1010).
Balaclava vs Colo Vale: common questions
Is Balaclava or Colo Vale cheaper to buy in?
Colo Vale has the lower median house price at $1,000,000, roughly 0% 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 Colo Vale?
Over the past 12 months, Colo Vale grew +22% vs +15.1% in Balaclava, a gap of 6.9 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 Colo Vale have better schools?
On average school ICSEA (the ACARA index that benchmarks educational advantage), Balaclava scores 1037 vs 1010 in Colo Vale. 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, Balaclava or Colo Vale?
Gross rental yield on houses is 3.90% in Colo Vale 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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