Macquarie vs Bruce
Macquarie (median $950,000) is roughly 26% cheaper to buy into than Bruce ($1,276,000).
Buying in Macquarie or Bruce?
Selling in Macquarie? The free selling guide
Macquarie and Bruce side by side
| Measure | Macquarie | Bruce |
|---|---|---|
| Price and market | ||
| Median house | $950,000 | $1,276,000 |
| Median unit | $487,500 | $560,000 |
| Renting | ||
| House rent | $418/wk | $440/wk |
| Unit rent | $400/wk | $430/wk |
| Owner occupied | 61.0% | 47.0% |
| Renter occupied | 37.0% | 50.0% |
| Schools | ||
| Schools nearby | 20 | 20 |
| Average ICSEA | 1090 | 1091 |
| Lifestyle and people | ||
| Walk score | 100 | 86 |
| Transit score | 30 | 100 |
| Bike score | 100 | 100 |
| Population | 3,104 | 7,520 |
| Median age | 37 | 29 |
| 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 86/100 ), useful if you're optimising for a car-light household. On school quality, the average ICSEA across schools serving Bruce (1091) sits above Macquarie (1090). Macquarie skews owner-occupied (61%), Bruce runs more rental-dense (47% owner).
- For buyers
- Macquarie is the lower entry point at $950,000 median, 26% 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 1.79%), favouring cash-flow investors.
- For families
- Bruce edges out on average school ICSEA (1091 vs 1090).
Macquarie vs Bruce: common questions
Is Macquarie or Bruce cheaper to buy in?
Macquarie has the lower median house price at $950,000, roughly 26% below Bruce ($1,276,000). The gap on units is usually similar but worth checking on the full suburb profiles.
Does Macquarie or Bruce have better schools?
On average school ICSEA (the ACARA index that benchmarks educational advantage), Bruce scores 1091 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 Bruce?
Macquarie scores 100/100 on walkability vs 86/100. 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 Bruce?
Gross rental yield on houses is 2.29% in Macquarie vs 1.79% in Bruce. 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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