Helensburgh vs Waterfall
Helensburgh (median $1,295,500) is roughly 6% cheaper to buy into than Waterfall ($1,375,000). Over the past year, Helensburgh (+3.6%) ran 3.2 percentage points ahead of Waterfall (+0.4%) on house-price growth.
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Helensburgh and Waterfall side by side
| Measure | Helensburgh | Waterfall |
|---|---|---|
| Price and market | ||
| Median house | $1,295,500 | $1,375,000 |
| Median unit | $875,000 | $411,840 |
| House price change, 12 months | +3.6% | +0.4% |
| Renting | ||
| House rent | $900/wk | $1000/wk |
| Unit rent | – | $720/wk |
| Owner occupied | 83.0% | 82.0% |
| Renter occupied | 15.0% | 14.0% |
| Schools | ||
| Schools nearby | 7 | 15 |
| Average ICSEA | 1061 | 1063 |
| Lifestyle and people | ||
| Walk score | 0 | 0 |
| Transit score | 0 | 0 |
| Bike score | 0 | 5 |
| Population | 6,576 | 522 |
| Median age | 38 | 41 |
| Climate | ||
| Annual rainfall | 1235 mm | 1141 mm |
| Mean max, January | 26.4°C | 26.7°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
On school quality, the average ICSEA across schools serving Waterfall (1063) sits above Helensburgh (1061).
- For buyers
- Helensburgh is the lower entry point at $1,295,500 median, 6% below the other suburb. For first home buyers, that translates to a smaller deposit and lower stamp duty bill.
- For investors
- Investors face a yield-versus-growth split: Waterfall delivers the better gross yield (3.78% vs 3.61%), but Helensburgh has run faster on capital growth this year. The right pick depends on whether you're optimising for cash flow or capital appreciation.
- For families
- Waterfall edges out on average school ICSEA (1063 vs 1061).
Helensburgh vs Waterfall: common questions
Is Helensburgh or Waterfall cheaper to buy in?
Helensburgh has the lower median house price at $1,295,500, roughly 6% below Waterfall ($1,375,000). The gap on units is usually similar but worth checking on the full suburb profiles.
Which has stronger property growth, Helensburgh or Waterfall?
Over the past 12 months, Helensburgh grew +3.6% vs +0.4% in Waterfall, a gap of 3.2 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 Helensburgh or Waterfall have better schools?
On average school ICSEA (the ACARA index that benchmarks educational advantage), Waterfall scores 1063 vs 1061 in Helensburgh. 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, Helensburgh or Waterfall?
Gross rental yield on houses is 3.78% in Waterfall vs 3.61% in Helensburgh. 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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