Frederickton vs Kempsey.
Comparing two suburbs with median house prices of $548,750 and $431,000. Kempsey edges out on more headline metrics in this comparison.
Kempsey (median $431,000) is roughly 27% cheaper to buy into than Frederickton ($548,750). Over the past year, Kempsey (+2.6%) ran 5.9 percentage points ahead of Frederickton (-3.3%) on house-price growth.
On school quality, the average ICSEA across schools serving Frederickton (875) sits above Kempsey (863). Frederickton skews owner-occupied (71%), Kempsey runs more rental-dense (45% owner).
For buyers
Kempsey is the lower entry point at $431,000 median, 27% below the other suburb. For first home buyers, that translates to a smaller deposit and lower stamp duty bill.
For investors
Kempsey carries both higher gross yield (6.09% vs 4.79%) and stronger 12-month growth. On the headline numbers, it's the cleaner investor case of the two.
For families
Frederickton edges out on average school ICSEA (875 vs 863). Frederickton also has a higher family-household share (71% vs 51%), so the catchment community skews family-heavy.
Common questions
Is Frederickton or Kempsey cheaper to buy in?
Kempsey has the lower median house price at $431,000, roughly 27% below Frederickton ($548,750). The gap on units is usually similar but worth checking on the full suburb profiles.
Which has stronger property growth, Frederickton or Kempsey?
Over the past 12 months, Kempsey grew +2.6% vs -3.3% in Frederickton, a gap of 5.9 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 Frederickton or Kempsey have better schools?
On average school ICSEA (the ACARA index that benchmarks educational advantage), Frederickton scores 875 vs 863 in Kempsey. 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, Frederickton or Kempsey?
Gross rental yield on houses is 6.09% in Kempsey vs 4.79% in Frederickton. 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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