Bathurst vs White Rock
Bathurst (median $685,000) is roughly 63% cheaper to buy into than White Rock ($1,836,500). Over the past year, White Rock (+16.2%) ran 10.8 percentage points ahead of Bathurst (+5.4%) on house-price growth.
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Bathurst and White Rock side by side
| Measure | Bathurst | White Rock |
|---|---|---|
| Price and market | ||
| Median house | $685,000 | $1,836,500 |
| Median unit | $274,320 | $274,320 |
| House price change, 12 months | +5.4% | +16.2% |
| Renting | ||
| House rent | $580/wk | $580/wk |
| Unit rent | $450/wk | $450/wk |
| Owner occupied | 43.0% | 96.0% |
| Renter occupied | 53.0% | 5.0% |
| Schools | ||
| Schools nearby | 18 | 17 |
| Average ICSEA | 982 | 981 |
| Lifestyle and people | ||
| Walk score | – | 0 |
| Transit score | – | 0 |
| Bike score | – | 0 |
| Population | 7,001 | 807 |
| Median age | 41 | 38 |
| Climate | ||
| Annual rainfall | 618 mm | 620 mm |
| Mean max, January | 29.6°C | 29.6°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 Bathurst (982) sits above White Rock (981). White Rock skews owner-occupied (96%), Bathurst runs more rental-dense (43% owner).
- For buyers
- Bathurst is the lower entry point at $685,000 median, 63% 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: Bathurst delivers the better gross yield (4.40% vs 1.64%), but White Rock 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
- Bathurst edges out on average school ICSEA (982 vs 981). White Rock also has a higher family-household share (90% vs 49%), so the catchment community skews family-heavy.
Bathurst vs White Rock: common questions
Is Bathurst or White Rock cheaper to buy in?
Bathurst has the lower median house price at $685,000, roughly 63% below White Rock ($1,836,500). The gap on units is usually similar but worth checking on the full suburb profiles.
Which has stronger property growth, Bathurst or White Rock?
Over the past 12 months, White Rock grew +16.2% vs +5.4% in Bathurst, a gap of 10.8 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 Bathurst or White Rock have better schools?
On average school ICSEA (the ACARA index that benchmarks educational advantage), Bathurst scores 982 vs 981 in White Rock. 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, Bathurst or White Rock?
Gross rental yield on houses is 4.40% in Bathurst vs 1.64% in White Rock. 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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