North Lakes vs Dakabin.
Comparing two suburbs with median house prices of $820,000 and $724,000. North Lakes edges out on more headline metrics in this comparison.
Dakabin (median $724,000) is roughly 13% cheaper to buy into than North Lakes ($820,000). Over the past year, North Lakes (+7.2%) ran 0.2 percentage points ahead of Dakabin (+7%) on house-price growth. North Lakes listings turn over faster (24 days on market vs 28).
On school quality, the average ICSEA across schools serving North Lakes (1010) sits above Dakabin (1009). North Lakes skews owner-occupied (59%), Dakabin runs more rental-dense (37% owner).
For buyers
Dakabin is the lower entry point at $724,000 median, 13% 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: Dakabin delivers the better gross yield (4.92% vs 4.12%), but North Lakes 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
North Lakes edges out on average school ICSEA (1010 vs 1009).
Common questions
Is North Lakes or Dakabin cheaper to buy in?
Dakabin has the lower median house price at $724,000, roughly 13% below North Lakes ($820,000). The gap on units is usually similar but worth checking on the full suburb profiles.
Which has stronger property growth, North Lakes or Dakabin?
Over the past 12 months, North Lakes grew +7.2% vs +7% in Dakabin, a gap of 0.2 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 North Lakes or Dakabin have better schools?
On average school ICSEA (the ACARA index that benchmarks educational advantage), North Lakes scores 1010 vs 1009 in Dakabin. 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, North Lakes or Dakabin?
Gross rental yield on houses is 4.92% in Dakabin vs 4.12% in North Lakes. 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.
Which sells faster, North Lakes or Dakabin?
North Lakes listings clear in roughly 24 days on market on average, vs 28 days in Dakabin. Faster days-on-market is a demand signal but it interacts with price strategy — listings priced ambitiously sit longer in any market.
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).
Compare North Lakes against another suburb