Highfields vs Kotara
Highfields (median $935,000) is roughly 5% cheaper to buy into than Kotara ($982,000). Over the past year, Kotara (+6.4%) ran 15.8 percentage points ahead of Highfields (-9.4%) on house-price growth.
Buying in Highfields or Kotara?
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Highfields and Kotara side by side
| Measure | Highfields | Kotara |
|---|---|---|
| Price and market | ||
| Median house | $935,000 | $982,000 |
| Median unit | $343,440 | $343,440 |
| House price change, 12 months | -9.4% | +6.4% |
| Renting | ||
| House rent | $750/wk | $750/wk |
| Unit rent | $588/wk | $588/wk |
| Owner occupied | 81.0% | 78.0% |
| Renter occupied | 15.0% | 21.0% |
| Schools | ||
| Schools nearby | 20 | 20 |
| Average ICSEA | 1052 | 1055 |
| Lifestyle and people | ||
| Walk score | 0 | 10 |
| Transit score | 0 | 20 |
| Bike score | 100 | 100 |
| Population | 936 | 3,980 |
| Median age | 37 | 39 |
| Climate | ||
| Annual rainfall | 1189 mm | 1189 mm |
| Mean max, January | 27.7°C | 27.7°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
Kotara scores higher on walkability (0/100 vs 10/100 ), useful if you're optimising for a car-light household. On school quality, the average ICSEA across schools serving Kotara (1055) sits above Highfields (1052).
- For buyers
- Highfields is the lower entry point at $935,000 median, 5% 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: Highfields delivers the better gross yield (4.17% vs 3.97%), but Kotara 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
- Kotara edges out on average school ICSEA (1055 vs 1052).
Highfields vs Kotara: common questions
Is Highfields or Kotara cheaper to buy in?
Highfields has the lower median house price at $935,000, roughly 5% below Kotara ($982,000). The gap on units is usually similar but worth checking on the full suburb profiles.
Which has stronger property growth, Highfields or Kotara?
Over the past 12 months, Kotara grew +6.4% vs -9.4% in Highfields, a gap of 15.8 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 Highfields or Kotara have better schools?
On average school ICSEA (the ACARA index that benchmarks educational advantage), Kotara scores 1055 vs 1052 in Highfields. 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, Highfields or Kotara?
Kotara scores 10/100 on walkability vs 0/100. 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, Highfields or Kotara?
Gross rental yield on houses is 4.17% in Highfields vs 3.97% in Kotara. 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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