Exeter vs Sutton Forest
Sutton Forest (median $1,700,000) is roughly 1% cheaper to buy into than Exeter ($1,720,000).
Buying in Exeter or Sutton Forest?
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Exeter and Sutton Forest side by side
| Measure | Exeter | Sutton Forest |
|---|---|---|
| Price and market | ||
| Median house | $1,720,000 | $1,700,000 |
| Median unit | $316,800 | $317,520 |
| House price change, 12 months | -20.0% | – |
| Renting | ||
| House rent | $680/wk | $705/wk |
| Unit rent | – | $515/wk |
| Owner occupied | 86.0% | 73.0% |
| Renter occupied | 11.0% | 18.0% |
| Schools | ||
| Schools nearby | 6 | 6 |
| Average ICSEA | 1033 | 1032 |
| Lifestyle and people | ||
| Walk score | 6 | 4 |
| Transit score | 20 | 0 |
| Bike score | 0 | 0 |
| Population | 1,087 | 504 |
| Median age | 53 | 50 |
| Climate | ||
| Annual rainfall | 890 mm | 793 mm |
| Mean max, January | 26.1°C | 26.4°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
Exeter scores higher on walkability (6/100 vs 4/100 ), useful if you're optimising for a car-light household. On school quality, the average ICSEA across schools serving Exeter (1033) sits above Sutton Forest (1032). Exeter skews owner-occupied (86%), Sutton Forest runs more rental-dense (73% owner).
- For buyers
- Sutton Forest is the lower entry point at $1,700,000 median, 1% below the other suburb. For first home buyers, that translates to a smaller deposit and lower stamp duty bill.
- For investors
- Sutton Forest offers the higher gross rental yield (2.16% vs 2.06%), favouring cash-flow investors.
- For families
- Exeter edges out on average school ICSEA (1033 vs 1032).
Exeter vs Sutton Forest: common questions
Is Exeter or Sutton Forest cheaper to buy in?
Sutton Forest has the lower median house price at $1,700,000, roughly 1% below Exeter ($1,720,000). The gap on units is usually similar but worth checking on the full suburb profiles.
Does Exeter or Sutton Forest have better schools?
On average school ICSEA (the ACARA index that benchmarks educational advantage), Exeter scores 1033 vs 1032 in Sutton Forest. 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, Exeter or Sutton Forest?
Exeter scores 6/100 on walkability vs 4/100. 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, Exeter or Sutton Forest?
Gross rental yield on houses is 2.16% in Sutton Forest vs 2.06% in Exeter. 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.
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