Side by sideSuburb comparison

Cardiff Heights vs Kotara South.

Comparing two suburbs with median house prices of $952,500 and $1,071,000. Cardiff Heights edges out on more headline metrics in this comparison.

Cardiff Heights (median $952,500) is roughly 11% cheaper to buy into than Kotara South ($1,071,000). Over the past year, Cardiff Heights (+1.5%) ran 4.1 percentage points ahead of Kotara South (-2.6%) on house-price growth.

Cardiff Heights scores higher on walkability (4/100 vs 0/100 ), useful if you're optimising for a car-light household. On school quality, the average ICSEA across schools serving Kotara South (1034) sits above Cardiff Heights (1022).

The takeWhich suburb suits which buyer

For buyers

Cardiff Heights is the lower entry point at $952,500 median, 11% below the other suburb. For first home buyers, that translates to a smaller deposit and lower stamp duty bill.

For investors

Cardiff Heights carries both higher gross yield (3.96% vs 3.64%) and stronger 12-month growth. On the headline numbers, it's the cleaner investor case of the two.

For families

Kotara South edges out on average school ICSEA (1034 vs 1022).

Common questionsCardiff Heights vs Kotara South

Common questions

Is Cardiff Heights or Kotara South cheaper to buy in?

Cardiff Heights has the lower median house price at $952,500, roughly 11% below Kotara South ($1,071,000). The gap on units is usually similar but worth checking on the full suburb profiles.

Which has stronger property growth, Cardiff Heights or Kotara South?

Over the past 12 months, Cardiff Heights grew +1.5% vs -2.6% in Kotara South, a gap of 4.1 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 Cardiff Heights or Kotara South have better schools?

On average school ICSEA (the ACARA index that benchmarks educational advantage), Kotara South scores 1034 vs 1022 in Cardiff Heights. 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, Cardiff Heights or Kotara South?

Cardiff Heights scores 4/100 on walkability vs 0/100. 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, Cardiff Heights or Kotara South?

Gross rental yield on houses is 3.96% in Cardiff Heights vs 3.64% in Kotara South. 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

Cardiff Heights
Metric
Kotara South

Price & Market

$952,500
Median house
$1,071,000
$305,280
Median unit
$343,440
+1.5%
Annual growth (house)
-2.6%
Days on market

Rental

$725/wk
Rent (house / wk)
$750/wk
$493/wk
Rent (unit / wk)
$588/wk
78.0%
Owner occupied
76.0%
15.0%
Renter occupied
23.0%

Lifestyle & Demographics

4
Walk score
0
0
Transit score
0
100
Bike score
100
1,384
Population
1,267
44
Median age
37

Risk & Hazard

Flood class
Bushfire risk

Schools

20
Schools nearby
20
1022
Avg ICSEA
1034

Climate

1143 mm
Annual rainfall
1143 mm
24.7°C
Mean max (Jan)
24.7°C

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