Port Noarlunga South vs Noarlunga Downs.
Comparing two suburbs with median house prices of $940,000 and $770,000.
Noarlunga Downs (median $770,000) is roughly 22% cheaper to buy into than Port Noarlunga South ($940,000). Over the past year, Port Noarlunga South (+11.4%) ran 15.0 percentage points ahead of Noarlunga Downs (-3.6%) on house-price growth.
Noarlunga Downs scores higher on walkability (6/100 vs 52/100 ), useful if you're optimising for a car-light household. On school quality, the average ICSEA across schools serving Port Noarlunga South (965) sits above Noarlunga Downs (954). Port Noarlunga South skews owner-occupied (76%), Noarlunga Downs runs more rental-dense (61% owner).
For buyers
Noarlunga Downs is the lower entry point at $770,000 median, 22% 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: Noarlunga Downs delivers the better gross yield (3.92% vs 3.60%), but Port Noarlunga South 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
Port Noarlunga South edges out on average school ICSEA (965 vs 954).
Common questions
Is Port Noarlunga South or Noarlunga Downs cheaper to buy in?
Noarlunga Downs has the lower median house price at $770,000, roughly 22% below Port Noarlunga South ($940,000). The gap on units is usually similar but worth checking on the full suburb profiles.
Which has stronger property growth, Port Noarlunga South or Noarlunga Downs?
Over the past 12 months, Port Noarlunga South grew +11.4% vs -3.6% in Noarlunga Downs, a gap of 15.0 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 Port Noarlunga South or Noarlunga Downs have better schools?
On average school ICSEA (the ACARA index that benchmarks educational advantage), Port Noarlunga South scores 965 vs 954 in Noarlunga Downs. 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, Port Noarlunga South or Noarlunga Downs?
Noarlunga Downs scores 52/100 on walkability vs 6/100. 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, Port Noarlunga South or Noarlunga Downs?
Gross rental yield on houses is 3.92% in Noarlunga Downs vs 3.60% in Port Noarlunga South. 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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