Lightsview vs Hillcrest
Lightsview (median $850,000) is roughly 14% cheaper to buy into than Hillcrest ($989,250). Over the past year, Hillcrest (+23.2%) ran 13.5 percentage points ahead of Lightsview (+9.7%) on house-price growth.
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Lightsview and Hillcrest side by side
| Measure | Lightsview | Hillcrest |
|---|---|---|
| Price and market | ||
| Median house | $850,000 | $989,250 |
| Median unit | $259,920 | $257,760 |
| House price change, 12 months | +9.7% | +23.2% |
| Renting | ||
| House rent | $665/wk | $730/wk |
| Unit rent | $580/wk | $522/wk |
| Owner occupied | 62.0% | 63.0% |
| Renter occupied | 34.0% | 33.0% |
| Schools | ||
| Schools nearby | 20 | 20 |
| Average ICSEA | 1028 | 1044 |
| Lifestyle and people | ||
| Walk score | 10 | 14 |
| Transit score | 0 | 0 |
| Bike score | 100 | 100 |
| Population | 6,090 | 3,659 |
| Median age | 32 | 35 |
| Climate | ||
| Annual rainfall | 505 mm | 505 mm |
| Mean max, January | 30.0°C | 30.0°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
Hillcrest scores higher on walkability (10/100 vs 14/100 ), useful if you're optimising for a car-light household. On school quality, the average ICSEA across schools serving Hillcrest (1044) sits above Lightsview (1028).
- For buyers
- Lightsview is the lower entry point at $850,000 median, 14% 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: Lightsview delivers the better gross yield (4.07% vs 3.84%), but Hillcrest 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
- Hillcrest edges out on average school ICSEA (1044 vs 1028).
Lightsview vs Hillcrest: common questions
Is Lightsview or Hillcrest cheaper to buy in?
Lightsview has the lower median house price at $850,000, roughly 14% below Hillcrest ($989,250). The gap on units is usually similar but worth checking on the full suburb profiles.
Which has stronger property growth, Lightsview or Hillcrest?
Over the past 12 months, Hillcrest grew +23.2% vs +9.7% in Lightsview, a gap of 13.5 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 Lightsview or Hillcrest have better schools?
On average school ICSEA (the ACARA index that benchmarks educational advantage), Hillcrest scores 1044 vs 1028 in Lightsview. 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, Lightsview or Hillcrest?
Hillcrest scores 14/100 on walkability vs 10/100. 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, Lightsview or Hillcrest?
Gross rental yield on houses is 4.07% in Lightsview vs 3.84% in Hillcrest. 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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