Side by sideSuburb comparison

Burleigh Waters vs Varsity Lakes.

Comparing two suburbs with median house prices of $1,595,000 and $1,100,000. Burleigh Waters edges out on more headline metrics in this comparison.

Varsity Lakes (median $1,100,000) is roughly 45% cheaper to buy into than Burleigh Waters ($1,595,000).

Burleigh Waters scores higher on walkability (82/100 vs 80/100 ), useful if you're optimising for a car-light household. On school quality, the average ICSEA across schools serving Burleigh Waters (1061) sits above Varsity Lakes (1059). Burleigh Waters skews owner-occupied (78%), Varsity Lakes runs more rental-dense (54% owner).

The takeWhich suburb suits which buyer

For buyers

Varsity Lakes is the lower entry point at $1,100,000 median, 45% below the other suburb. For first home buyers, that translates to a smaller deposit and lower stamp duty bill.

For investors

Varsity Lakes offers the higher gross rental yield (4.49% vs 3.59%), favouring cash-flow investors.

For families

Burleigh Waters edges out on average school ICSEA (1061 vs 1059).

Common questionsBurleigh Waters vs Varsity Lakes

Common questions

Is Burleigh Waters or Varsity Lakes cheaper to buy in?

Varsity Lakes has the lower median house price at $1,100,000, roughly 45% below Burleigh Waters ($1,595,000). The gap on units is usually similar but worth checking on the full suburb profiles.

Does Burleigh Waters or Varsity Lakes have better schools?

On average school ICSEA (the ACARA index that benchmarks educational advantage), Burleigh Waters scores 1061 vs 1059 in Varsity Lakes. 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 is more walkable, Burleigh Waters or Varsity Lakes?

Burleigh Waters scores 82/100 on walkability vs 80/100. Above 70 is considered very walkable (most errands on foot), 50-69 is walkable for some errands, below 50 typically requires a car for daily life.

Which suburb has higher rental yield, Burleigh Waters or Varsity Lakes?

Gross rental yield on houses is 4.49% in Varsity Lakes vs 3.59% in Burleigh Waters. 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.

The numbers behind the take

Burleigh Waters
Metric
Varsity Lakes

Price & Market

$1,595,000
Median house
$1,100,000
$775,500
Median unit
$730,000
+0.0%
Annual growth (house)
+0.0%
Days on market

Rental

$1100/wk
Rent (house / wk)
$950/wk
$790/wk
Rent (unit / wk)
$800/wk
78.0%
Owner occupied
54.0%
20.0%
Renter occupied
43.0%

Lifestyle & Demographics

82
Walk score
80
0
Transit score
0
100
Bike score
100
14,556
Population
16,493
42
Median age
36

Risk & Hazard

Flood class
Bushfire risk

Schools

20
Schools nearby
20
1061
Avg ICSEA
1059

Climate

1304 mm
Annual rainfall
1304 mm
28.9°C
Mean max (Jan)
28.9°C

Green dot = better on that metric (lower price, higher growth, higher walkability, lower risk).