Cook vs Aranda.
Comparing two suburbs with median house prices of $1,262,500 and $1,426,000. Aranda edges out on more headline metrics in this comparison.
Cook (median $1,262,500) is roughly 11% cheaper to buy into than Aranda ($1,426,000).
Aranda scores higher on walkability (38/100 vs 42/100 ), useful if you're optimising for a car-light household. On school quality, the average ICSEA across schools serving Aranda (1106) sits above Cook (1089).
For buyers
Cook is the lower entry point at $1,262,500 median, 11% below the other suburb. For first home buyers, that translates to a smaller deposit and lower stamp duty bill.
For investors
Cook offers the higher gross rental yield (1.72% vs 1.52%), favouring cash-flow investors.
For families
Aranda edges out on average school ICSEA (1106 vs 1089). Aranda also has a higher family-household share (79% vs 65%), so the catchment community skews family-heavy.
Common questions
Is Cook or Aranda cheaper to buy in?
Cook has the lower median house price at $1,262,500, roughly 11% below Aranda ($1,426,000). The gap on units is usually similar but worth checking on the full suburb profiles.
Does Cook or Aranda have better schools?
On average school ICSEA (the ACARA index that benchmarks educational advantage), Aranda scores 1106 vs 1089 in Cook. 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, Cook or Aranda?
Aranda scores 42/100 on walkability vs 38/100. 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, Cook or Aranda?
Gross rental yield on houses is 1.72% in Cook vs 1.52% in Aranda. 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).
Compare Cook against another suburb