Merewether Heights vs Highfields
Highfields (median $935,000) is roughly 45% cheaper to buy into than Merewether Heights ($1,710,000). Over the past year, Merewether Heights (+2.1%) ran 11.5 percentage points ahead of Highfields (-9.4%) on house-price growth.
Buying in Merewether Heights or Highfields?
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Merewether Heights and Highfields side by side
| Measure | Merewether Heights | Highfields |
|---|---|---|
| Price and market | ||
| Median house | $1,710,000 | $935,000 |
| Median unit | $396,000 | $343,440 |
| House price change, 12 months | +2.1% | -9.4% |
| Renting | ||
| House rent | $915/wk | $750/wk |
| Unit rent | $638/wk | $588/wk |
| Owner occupied | 91.0% | 81.0% |
| Renter occupied | 9.0% | 15.0% |
| Schools | ||
| Schools nearby | 20 | 20 |
| Average ICSEA | 1081 | 1052 |
| Lifestyle and people | ||
| Walk score | 0 | 0 |
| Transit score | 0 | 0 |
| Bike score | 100 | 100 |
| Population | 1,495 | 936 |
| Median age | 41 | 37 |
| Climate | ||
| Annual rainfall | 1190 mm | 1189 mm |
| Mean max, January | 27.5°C | 27.7°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
On school quality, the average ICSEA across schools serving Merewether Heights (1081) sits above Highfields (1052). Merewether Heights skews owner-occupied (91%), Highfields runs more rental-dense (81% owner).
- For buyers
- Highfields is the lower entry point at $935,000 median, 45% 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: Highfields delivers the better gross yield (4.17% vs 2.78%), but Merewether Heights 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
- Merewether Heights edges out on average school ICSEA (1081 vs 1052).
Merewether Heights vs Highfields: common questions
Is Merewether Heights or Highfields cheaper to buy in?
Highfields has the lower median house price at $935,000, roughly 45% below Merewether Heights ($1,710,000). The gap on units is usually similar but worth checking on the full suburb profiles.
Which has stronger property growth, Merewether Heights or Highfields?
Over the past 12 months, Merewether Heights grew +2.1% vs -9.4% in Highfields, a gap of 11.5 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 Merewether Heights or Highfields have better schools?
On average school ICSEA (the ACARA index that benchmarks educational advantage), Merewether Heights scores 1081 vs 1052 in Highfields. 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 suburb has higher rental yield, Merewether Heights or Highfields?
Gross rental yield on houses is 4.17% in Highfields vs 2.78% in Merewether Heights. 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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