Macquarie vs Aranda
Macquarie (median $950,000) is roughly 33% cheaper to buy into than Aranda ($1,426,000).
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Macquarie and Aranda side by side
| Measure | Macquarie | Aranda |
|---|---|---|
| Price and market | ||
| Median house | $950,000 | $1,426,000 |
| Median unit | $487,500 | $775,000 |
| Renting | ||
| House rent | $418/wk | $418/wk |
| Unit rent | $400/wk | $530/wk |
| Owner occupied | 61.0% | 81.0% |
| Renter occupied | 37.0% | 16.0% |
| Schools | ||
| Schools nearby | 20 | 20 |
| Average ICSEA | 1090 | 1106 |
| Lifestyle and people | ||
| Walk score | 100 | 42 |
| Transit score | 30 | 70 |
| Bike score | 100 | 100 |
| Population | 3,104 | 2,605 |
| Median age | 37 | 42 |
| Climate | ||
| Annual rainfall | 637 mm | 632 mm |
| Mean max, January | 29.2°C | 29.2°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
Macquarie scores higher on walkability (100/100 vs 42/100 ), useful if you're optimising for a car-light household. On school quality, the average ICSEA across schools serving Aranda (1106) sits above Macquarie (1090). Aranda skews owner-occupied (81%), Macquarie runs more rental-dense (61% owner).
- For buyers
- Macquarie is the lower entry point at $950,000 median, 33% below the other suburb. For first home buyers, that translates to a smaller deposit and lower stamp duty bill.
- For investors
- Macquarie offers the higher gross rental yield (2.29% vs 1.52%), favouring cash-flow investors.
- For families
- Aranda edges out on average school ICSEA (1106 vs 1090). Aranda also has a higher family-household share (79% vs 61%), so the catchment community skews family-heavy.
Macquarie vs Aranda: common questions
Is Macquarie or Aranda cheaper to buy in?
Macquarie has the lower median house price at $950,000, roughly 33% below Aranda ($1,426,000). The gap on units is usually similar but worth checking on the full suburb profiles.
Does Macquarie or Aranda have better schools?
On average school ICSEA (the ACARA index that benchmarks educational advantage), Aranda scores 1106 vs 1090 in Macquarie. 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, Macquarie or Aranda?
Macquarie scores 100/100 on walkability vs 42/100. 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, Macquarie or Aranda?
Gross rental yield on houses is 2.29% in Macquarie vs 1.52% in Aranda. 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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