Matcham vs Wamberal.
Comparing two suburbs with median house prices of $2,375,000 and $1,550,000. Wamberal edges out on more headline metrics in this comparison.
Wamberal (median $1,550,000) is roughly 53% cheaper to buy into than Matcham ($2,375,000). Over the past year, Wamberal (-4.3%) ran 15.2 percentage points ahead of Matcham (-19.5%) on house-price growth.
Wamberal scores higher on walkability (0/100 vs 2/100 ), useful if you're optimising for a car-light household. On school quality, the average ICSEA across schools serving Wamberal (1046) sits above Matcham (1040). Matcham skews owner-occupied (92%), Wamberal runs more rental-dense (80% owner).
For buyers
Wamberal is the lower entry point at $1,550,000 median, 53% below the other suburb. For first home buyers, that translates to a smaller deposit and lower stamp duty bill.
For investors
Wamberal carries both higher gross yield (2.95% vs 1.52%) and stronger 12-month growth. On the headline numbers, it's the cleaner investor case of the two.
For families
Wamberal edges out on average school ICSEA (1046 vs 1040).
Common questions
Is Matcham or Wamberal cheaper to buy in?
Wamberal has the lower median house price at $1,550,000, roughly 53% 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 Wamberal?
Over the past 12 months, Wamberal grew -4.3% vs -19.5% in Matcham, a gap of 15.2 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 Wamberal have better schools?
On average school ICSEA (the ACARA index that benchmarks educational advantage), Wamberal scores 1046 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 Wamberal?
Wamberal scores 2/100 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 Wamberal?
Gross rental yield on houses is 2.95% in Wamberal 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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