Castlereagh vs Hawkesbury Heights.
Comparing two suburbs with median house prices of $2,500,000 and $1,425,000. Hawkesbury Heights edges out on more headline metrics in this comparison.
Hawkesbury Heights (median $1,425,000) is roughly 75% cheaper to buy into than Castlereagh ($2,500,000). Over the past year, Hawkesbury Heights (0%) ran 16.0 percentage points ahead of Castlereagh (-16%) on house-price growth.
On school quality, the average ICSEA across schools serving Hawkesbury Heights (1033) sits above Castlereagh (1007). Hawkesbury Heights skews owner-occupied (90%), Castlereagh runs more rental-dense (80% owner).
For buyers
Hawkesbury Heights is the lower entry point at $1,425,000 median, 75% below the other suburb. For first home buyers, that translates to a smaller deposit and lower stamp duty bill.
For investors
Hawkesbury Heights carries both higher gross yield (2.77% vs 1.39%) and stronger 12-month growth. On the headline numbers, it's the cleaner investor case of the two.
For families
Hawkesbury Heights edges out on average school ICSEA (1033 vs 1007).
Common questions
Is Castlereagh or Hawkesbury Heights cheaper to buy in?
Hawkesbury Heights has the lower median house price at $1,425,000, roughly 75% below Castlereagh ($2,500,000). The gap on units is usually similar but worth checking on the full suburb profiles.
Which has stronger property growth, Castlereagh or Hawkesbury Heights?
Over the past 12 months, Hawkesbury Heights grew 0% vs -16% in Castlereagh, a gap of 16.0 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 Castlereagh or Hawkesbury Heights have better schools?
On average school ICSEA (the ACARA index that benchmarks educational advantage), Hawkesbury Heights scores 1033 vs 1007 in Castlereagh. 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, Castlereagh or Hawkesbury Heights?
Gross rental yield on houses is 2.77% in Hawkesbury Heights vs 1.39% in Castlereagh. 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
Price & Market
Rental
Lifestyle & Demographics
Risk & Hazard
Schools
Climate
Green dot = better on that metric (lower price, higher growth, higher walkability, lower risk).
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