Mystery Bay vs Central Tilba
Mystery Bay (median $980,000) is roughly 37% cheaper to buy into than Central Tilba ($1,550,000). Over the past year, Mystery Bay (+16.7%) ran 7.5 percentage points ahead of Central Tilba (+9.2%) on house-price growth.
Buying in Mystery Bay or Central Tilba?
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Mystery Bay and Central Tilba side by side
| Measure | Mystery Bay | Central Tilba |
|---|---|---|
| Price and market | ||
| Median house | $980,000 | $1,550,000 |
| Median unit | $233,280 | $233,280 |
| House price change, 12 months | +16.7% | +9.2% |
| Renting | ||
| House rent | $553/wk | $553/wk |
| Unit rent | $440/wk | $440/wk |
| Owner occupied | 96.0% | 76.0% |
| Renter occupied | 8.0% | 15.0% |
| Schools | ||
| Schools nearby | 3 | 2 |
| Average ICSEA | 973 | 981 |
| Lifestyle and people | ||
| Walk score | 0 | 0 |
| Transit score | 0 | 0 |
| Bike score | 0 | 0 |
| Population | 199 | 342 |
| Median age | 63 | 57 |
| Climate | ||
| Annual rainfall | 897 mm | 1027 mm |
| Mean max, January | 24.0°C | 24.2°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
On school quality, the average ICSEA across schools serving Central Tilba (981) sits above Mystery Bay (973). Mystery Bay skews owner-occupied (96%), Central Tilba runs more rental-dense (76% owner).
- For buyers
- Mystery Bay is the lower entry point at $980,000 median, 37% below the other suburb. For first home buyers, that translates to a smaller deposit and lower stamp duty bill.
- For investors
- Mystery Bay carries both higher gross yield (2.93% vs 1.86%) and stronger 12-month growth. On the headline numbers, it's the cleaner investor case of the two.
- For families
- Central Tilba edges out on average school ICSEA (981 vs 973).
Mystery Bay vs Central Tilba: common questions
Is Mystery Bay or Central Tilba cheaper to buy in?
Mystery Bay has the lower median house price at $980,000, roughly 37% below Central Tilba ($1,550,000). The gap on units is usually similar but worth checking on the full suburb profiles.
Which has stronger property growth, Mystery Bay or Central Tilba?
Over the past 12 months, Mystery Bay grew +16.7% vs +9.2% in Central Tilba, a gap of 7.5 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 Mystery Bay or Central Tilba have better schools?
On average school ICSEA (the ACARA index that benchmarks educational advantage), Central Tilba scores 981 vs 973 in Mystery Bay. 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, Mystery Bay or Central Tilba?
Gross rental yield on houses is 2.93% in Mystery Bay vs 1.86% in Central Tilba. 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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