Brightwaters vs Sunshine

Brightwaters (median $1,085,000) is roughly 20% cheaper to buy into than Sunshine ($1,350,000).

Buying in Brightwaters or Sunshine?

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Brightwaters and Sunshine side by side

MeasureBrightwatersSunshine
Price and market
Median house$1,085,000$1,350,000
Median unit$278,640$278,640
Renting
House rent$695/wk$695/wk
Owner occupied80.0%80.0%
Renter occupied20.0%18.0%
Schools
Schools nearby2020
Average ICSEA968972
Lifestyle and people
Walk score00
Transit score010
Bike score2510
Population875475
Median age5050
Climate
Annual rainfall1116 mm1116 mm
Mean max, January27.9°C27.9°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 Sunshine (972) sits above Brightwaters (968).

For buyers
Brightwaters is the lower entry point at $1,085,000 median, 20% below the other suburb. For first home buyers, that translates to a smaller deposit and lower stamp duty bill.
For investors
Brightwaters offers the higher gross rental yield (3.33% vs 2.68%), favouring cash-flow investors.
For families
Sunshine edges out on average school ICSEA (972 vs 968).

Brightwaters vs Sunshine: common questions

Is Brightwaters or Sunshine cheaper to buy in?

Brightwaters has the lower median house price at $1,085,000, roughly 20% below Sunshine ($1,350,000). The gap on units is usually similar but worth checking on the full suburb profiles.

Does Brightwaters or Sunshine have better schools?

On average school ICSEA (the ACARA index that benchmarks educational advantage), Sunshine scores 972 vs 968 in Brightwaters. 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, Brightwaters or Sunshine?

Gross rental yield on houses is 3.33% in Brightwaters vs 2.68% in Sunshine. 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.