Russell Lea vs Wareemba
Wareemba (median $2,960,000) is roughly 10% cheaper to buy into than Russell Lea ($3,300,000). Over the past year, Wareemba (+18.9%) ran 9.1 percentage points ahead of Russell Lea (+9.8%) on house-price growth.
Buying in Russell Lea or Wareemba?
Selling in Russell Lea? The free selling guide
Russell Lea and Wareemba side by side
| Measure | Russell Lea | Wareemba |
|---|---|---|
| Price and market | ||
| Median house | $3,300,000 | $2,960,000 |
| Median unit | $477,360 | $477,360 |
| House price change, 12 months | +9.8% | +18.9% |
| Renting | ||
| House rent | $1300/wk | $1300/wk |
| Unit rent | $800/wk | $800/wk |
| Owner occupied | 73.0% | 68.0% |
| Renter occupied | 26.0% | 28.0% |
| Schools | ||
| Schools nearby | 20 | 20 |
| Average ICSEA | 1118 | 1106 |
| Lifestyle and people | ||
| Walk score | 20 | 24 |
| Transit score | 0 | 0 |
| Bike score | 100 | 100 |
| Population | 4,920 | 1,519 |
| Median age | 43 | 43 |
| Climate | ||
| Annual rainfall | 1036 mm | 1036 mm |
| Mean max, January | 27.7°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
Wareemba scores higher on walkability (20/100 vs 24/100 ), useful if you're optimising for a car-light household. On school quality, the average ICSEA across schools serving Russell Lea (1118) sits above Wareemba (1106).
- For buyers
- Wareemba is the lower entry point at $2,960,000 median, 10% below the other suburb. For first home buyers, that translates to a smaller deposit and lower stamp duty bill.
- For investors
- Wareemba carries both higher gross yield (2.28% vs 2.05%) and stronger 12-month growth. On the headline numbers, it's the cleaner investor case of the two.
- For families
- Russell Lea edges out on average school ICSEA (1118 vs 1106).
Russell Lea vs Wareemba: common questions
Is Russell Lea or Wareemba cheaper to buy in?
Wareemba has the lower median house price at $2,960,000, roughly 10% below Russell Lea ($3,300,000). The gap on units is usually similar but worth checking on the full suburb profiles.
Which has stronger property growth, Russell Lea or Wareemba?
Over the past 12 months, Wareemba grew +18.9% vs +9.8% in Russell Lea, a gap of 9.1 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 Russell Lea or Wareemba have better schools?
On average school ICSEA (the ACARA index that benchmarks educational advantage), Russell Lea scores 1118 vs 1106 in Wareemba. 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, Russell Lea or Wareemba?
Wareemba scores 24/100 on walkability vs 20/100. 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, Russell Lea or Wareemba?
Gross rental yield on houses is 2.28% in Wareemba vs 2.05% in Russell Lea. 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.
Keep comparing
The two suburbs
Compare Russell Lea with
Choosing between Russell Lea and Wareemba?
The free buying guide: budget, schemes, inspections and how not to overpay.