Shell Cove vs Barrack Heights
Barrack Heights (median $851,000) is roughly 41% cheaper to buy into than Shell Cove ($1,450,000). Over the past year, Shell Cove (+7.4%) ran 1.0 percentage points ahead of Barrack Heights (+6.4%) on house-price growth.
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Shell Cove and Barrack Heights side by side
| Measure | Shell Cove | Barrack Heights |
|---|---|---|
| Price and market | ||
| Median house | $1,450,000 | $851,000 |
| Median unit | $343,440 | $291,600 |
| House price change, 12 months | +7.4% | +6.4% |
| Renting | ||
| House rent | $810/wk | $700/wk |
| Unit rent | $660/wk | $495/wk |
| Owner occupied | 77.0% | 65.0% |
| Renter occupied | 19.0% | 33.0% |
| Schools | ||
| Schools nearby | 20 | 20 |
| Average ICSEA | 968 | 964 |
| Lifestyle and people | ||
| Walk score | 22 | 0 |
| Transit score | 0 | 0 |
| Bike score | 100 | 100 |
| Population | 7,591 | 6,003 |
| Median age | 40 | 41 |
| Climate | ||
| Annual rainfall | 1060 mm | 1020 mm |
| Mean max, January | 25.9°C | 26.1°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
Shell Cove scores higher on walkability (22/100 vs 0/100 ), useful if you're optimising for a car-light household. On school quality, the average ICSEA across schools serving Shell Cove (968) sits above Barrack Heights (964). Shell Cove skews owner-occupied (77%), Barrack Heights runs more rental-dense (65% owner).
- For buyers
- Barrack Heights is the lower entry point at $851,000 median, 41% 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: Barrack Heights delivers the better gross yield (4.28% vs 2.90%), but Shell Cove 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
- Shell Cove edges out on average school ICSEA (968 vs 964). Shell Cove also has a higher family-household share (87% vs 74%), so the catchment community skews family-heavy.
Shell Cove vs Barrack Heights: common questions
Is Shell Cove or Barrack Heights cheaper to buy in?
Barrack Heights has the lower median house price at $851,000, roughly 41% below Shell Cove ($1,450,000). The gap on units is usually similar but worth checking on the full suburb profiles.
Which has stronger property growth, Shell Cove or Barrack Heights?
Over the past 12 months, Shell Cove grew +7.4% vs +6.4% in Barrack Heights, a gap of 1.0 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 Shell Cove or Barrack Heights have better schools?
On average school ICSEA (the ACARA index that benchmarks educational advantage), Shell Cove scores 968 vs 964 in Barrack Heights. 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, Shell Cove or Barrack Heights?
Shell Cove scores 22/100 on walkability vs 0/100. 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, Shell Cove or Barrack Heights?
Gross rental yield on houses is 4.28% in Barrack Heights vs 2.90% in Shell Cove. 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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