Balaclava vs Renwick

Balaclava (median $1,001,250) is roughly 22% cheaper to buy into than Renwick ($1,277,500). Over the past year, Balaclava (+15.1%) ran 11.0 percentage points ahead of Renwick (+4.1%) on house-price growth.

Buying in Balaclava or Renwick?

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Balaclava and Renwick side by side

MeasureBalaclavaRenwick
Price and market
Median house$1,001,250$1,277,500
Median unit$343,440$343,440
House price change, 12 months+15.1%+4.1%
Renting
House rent$750/wk$750/wk
Owner occupied76.0%82.0%
Renter occupied22.0%17.0%
Schools
Schools nearby1615
Average ICSEA10371043
Lifestyle and people
Walk score0–
Transit score0–
Bike score5–
Population5741,453
Median age4037
Climate
Annual rainfall852 mm852 mm
Mean max, January25.9°C25.9°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 Renwick (1043) sits above Balaclava (1037).

For buyers
Balaclava is the lower entry point at $1,001,250 median, 22% below the other suburb. For first home buyers, that translates to a smaller deposit and lower stamp duty bill.
For investors
Balaclava carries both higher gross yield (3.90% vs 3.05%) and stronger 12-month growth. On the headline numbers, it's the cleaner investor case of the two.
For families
Renwick edges out on average school ICSEA (1043 vs 1037). Renwick also has a higher family-household share (86% vs 76%), so the catchment community skews family-heavy.

Balaclava vs Renwick: common questions

Is Balaclava or Renwick cheaper to buy in?

Balaclava has the lower median house price at $1,001,250, roughly 22% below Renwick ($1,277,500). The gap on units is usually similar but worth checking on the full suburb profiles.

Which has stronger property growth, Balaclava or Renwick?

Over the past 12 months, Balaclava grew +15.1% vs +4.1% in Renwick, a gap of 11.0 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 Renwick have better schools?

On average school ICSEA (the ACARA index that benchmarks educational advantage), Renwick scores 1043 vs 1037 in Balaclava. 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 Renwick?

Gross rental yield on houses is 3.90% in Balaclava vs 3.05% in Renwick. 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.