Kotara South vs Hillsborough.
Comparing two suburbs with median house prices of $1,071,000 and $843,750. Hillsborough edges out on more headline metrics in this comparison.
Hillsborough (median $843,750) is roughly 27% cheaper to buy into than Kotara South ($1,071,000). Over the past year, Hillsborough (+5.5%) ran 8.1 percentage points ahead of Kotara South (-2.6%) on house-price growth.
On school quality, the average ICSEA across schools serving Kotara South (1034) sits above Hillsborough (1031).
For buyers
Hillsborough is the lower entry point at $843,750 median, 27% below the other suburb. For first home buyers, that translates to a smaller deposit and lower stamp duty bill.
For investors
Hillsborough carries both higher gross yield (4.49% vs 3.64%) and stronger 12-month growth. On the headline numbers, it's the cleaner investor case of the two.
For families
Kotara South edges out on average school ICSEA (1034 vs 1031).
Common questions
Is Kotara South or Hillsborough cheaper to buy in?
Hillsborough has the lower median house price at $843,750, roughly 27% below Kotara South ($1,071,000). The gap on units is usually similar but worth checking on the full suburb profiles.
Which has stronger property growth, Kotara South or Hillsborough?
Over the past 12 months, Hillsborough grew +5.5% vs -2.6% in Kotara South, a gap of 8.1 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 Kotara South or Hillsborough have better schools?
On average school ICSEA (the ACARA index that benchmarks educational advantage), Kotara South scores 1034 vs 1031 in Hillsborough. 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, Kotara South or Hillsborough?
Gross rental yield on houses is 4.49% in Hillsborough vs 3.64% in Kotara South. 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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