Matcham vs Terrigal.
Comparing two suburbs with median house prices of $2,375,000 and $1,572,000. Terrigal edges out on more headline metrics in this comparison.
Terrigal (median $1,572,000) is roughly 51% cheaper to buy into than Matcham ($2,375,000). Over the past year, Terrigal (-1.7%) ran 17.8 percentage points ahead of Matcham (-19.5%) on house-price growth.
Terrigal scores higher on walkability (0/100 vs 76/100 ), useful if you're optimising for a car-light household. On school quality, the average ICSEA across schools serving Terrigal (1051) sits above Matcham (1040). Matcham skews owner-occupied (92%), Terrigal runs more rental-dense (74% owner).
For buyers
Terrigal is the lower entry point at $1,572,000 median, 51% below the other suburb. For first home buyers, that translates to a smaller deposit and lower stamp duty bill.
For investors
Terrigal carries both higher gross yield (2.91% vs 1.52%) and stronger 12-month growth. On the headline numbers, it's the cleaner investor case of the two.
For families
Terrigal edges out on average school ICSEA (1051 vs 1040). Matcham also has a higher family-household share (89% vs 75%), so the catchment community skews family-heavy.
Common questions
Is Matcham or Terrigal cheaper to buy in?
Terrigal has the lower median house price at $1,572,000, roughly 51% below Matcham ($2,375,000). The gap on units is usually similar but worth checking on the full suburb profiles.
Which has stronger property growth, Matcham or Terrigal?
Over the past 12 months, Terrigal grew -1.7% vs -19.5% in Matcham, a gap of 17.8 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 Matcham or Terrigal have better schools?
On average school ICSEA (the ACARA index that benchmarks educational advantage), Terrigal scores 1051 vs 1040 in Matcham. 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, Matcham or Terrigal?
Terrigal scores 76/100 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, Matcham or Terrigal?
Gross rental yield on houses is 2.91% in Terrigal vs 1.52% in Matcham. 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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