Merewether vs Bar Beach
Merewether (median $2,150,000) is roughly 24% cheaper to buy into than Bar Beach ($2,812,500).
Buying in Merewether or Bar Beach?
Selling in Merewether? The free selling guide
Merewether and Bar Beach side by side
| Measure | Merewether | Bar Beach |
|---|---|---|
| Price and market | ||
| Median house | $2,150,000 | $2,812,500 |
| Median unit | $396,000 | $352,800 |
| House price change, 12 months | +4.9% | – |
| Renting | ||
| House rent | $915/wk | $750/wk |
| Unit rent | $638/wk | $670/wk |
| Owner occupied | 65.0% | 56.0% |
| Renter occupied | 33.0% | 41.0% |
| Schools | ||
| Schools nearby | 20 | 20 |
| Average ICSEA | 1086 | 1079 |
| Lifestyle and people | ||
| Walk score | 46 | 82 |
| Transit score | 0 | 0 |
| Bike score | 100 | 100 |
| Population | 11,788 | 1,292 |
| Median age | 39 | 41 |
| Climate | ||
| Annual rainfall | 1190 mm | 1190 mm |
| Mean max, January | 27.5°C | 27.5°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
Bar Beach scores higher on walkability (46/100 vs 82/100 ), useful if you're optimising for a car-light household. On school quality, the average ICSEA across schools serving Merewether (1086) sits above Bar Beach (1079).
- For buyers
- Merewether is the lower entry point at $2,150,000 median, 24% below the other suburb. For first home buyers, that translates to a smaller deposit and lower stamp duty bill.
- For investors
- Merewether offers the higher gross rental yield (2.21% vs 1.39%), favouring cash-flow investors.
- For families
- Merewether edges out on average school ICSEA (1086 vs 1079).
Merewether vs Bar Beach: common questions
Is Merewether or Bar Beach cheaper to buy in?
Merewether has the lower median house price at $2,150,000, roughly 24% below Bar Beach ($2,812,500). The gap on units is usually similar but worth checking on the full suburb profiles.
Does Merewether or Bar Beach have better schools?
On average school ICSEA (the ACARA index that benchmarks educational advantage), Merewether scores 1086 vs 1079 in Bar Beach. 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, Merewether or Bar Beach?
Bar Beach scores 82/100 on walkability vs 46/100. 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, Merewether or Bar Beach?
Gross rental yield on houses is 2.21% in Merewether vs 1.39% in Bar Beach. 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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The two suburbs
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