Balaclava vs Willow Vale
Balaclava (median $1,001,250) is roughly 22% cheaper to buy into than Willow Vale ($1,290,000). Over the past year, Balaclava (+15.1%) ran 1.9 percentage points ahead of Willow Vale (+13.2%) on house-price growth.
Buying in Balaclava or Willow Vale?
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Balaclava and Willow Vale side by side
| Measure | Balaclava | Willow Vale |
|---|---|---|
| Price and market | ||
| Median house | $1,001,250 | $1,290,000 |
| Median unit | $343,440 | $343,440 |
| House price change, 12 months | +15.1% | +13.2% |
| Renting | ||
| House rent | $750/wk | $750/wk |
| Owner occupied | 76.0% | – |
| Renter occupied | 22.0% | – |
| Schools | ||
| Schools nearby | 16 | 14 |
| Average ICSEA | 1037 | 1028 |
| Lifestyle and people | ||
| Walk score | 0 | 0 |
| Transit score | 0 | 0 |
| Bike score | 5 | 5 |
| Population | 574 | – |
| Median age | 40 | – |
| Climate | ||
| Annual rainfall | 852 mm | 852 mm |
| Mean max, January | 25.9°C | 25.9°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 Balaclava (1037) sits above Willow Vale (1028).
- 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 3.02%) 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 1028).
Balaclava vs Willow Vale: common questions
Is Balaclava or Willow Vale cheaper to buy in?
Balaclava has the lower median house price at $1,001,250, roughly 22% below Willow Vale ($1,290,000). The gap on units is usually similar but worth checking on the full suburb profiles.
Which has stronger property growth, Balaclava or Willow Vale?
Over the past 12 months, Balaclava grew +15.1% vs +13.2% in Willow Vale, a gap of 1.9 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 Willow Vale have better schools?
On average school ICSEA (the ACARA index that benchmarks educational advantage), Balaclava scores 1037 vs 1028 in Willow 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 Willow Vale?
Gross rental yield on houses is 3.90% in Balaclava vs 3.02% in Willow Vale. 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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The two suburbs
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