Shellharbour vs Barrack Heights
Barrack Heights (median $851,000) is roughly 31% cheaper to buy into than Shellharbour ($1,225,000). Over the past year, Barrack Heights (+6.4%) ran 12.9 percentage points ahead of Shellharbour (-6.5%) on house-price growth.
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Shellharbour and Barrack Heights side by side
| Measure | Shellharbour | Barrack Heights |
|---|---|---|
| Price and market | ||
| Median house | $1,225,000 | $851,000 |
| Median unit | $343,440 | $291,600 |
| House price change, 12 months | -6.5% | +6.4% |
| Renting | ||
| House rent | $810/wk | $700/wk |
| Unit rent | $660/wk | $495/wk |
| Owner occupied | 65.0% | 65.0% |
| Renter occupied | 33.0% | 33.0% |
| Schools | ||
| Schools nearby | 20 | 20 |
| Average ICSEA | 968 | 964 |
| Lifestyle and people | ||
| Walk score | 0 | 0 |
| Transit score | 0 | 0 |
| Bike score | 100 | 100 |
| Population | 3,520 | 6,003 |
| Median age | 46 | 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
On school quality, the average ICSEA across schools serving Shellharbour (968) sits above Barrack Heights (964).
- For buyers
- Barrack Heights is the lower entry point at $851,000 median, 31% below the other suburb. For first home buyers, that translates to a smaller deposit and lower stamp duty bill.
- For investors
- Barrack Heights carries both higher gross yield (4.28% vs 3.44%) and stronger 12-month growth. On the headline numbers, it's the cleaner investor case of the two.
- For families
- Shellharbour edges out on average school ICSEA (968 vs 964).
Shellharbour vs Barrack Heights: common questions
Is Shellharbour or Barrack Heights cheaper to buy in?
Barrack Heights has the lower median house price at $851,000, roughly 31% below Shellharbour ($1,225,000). The gap on units is usually similar but worth checking on the full suburb profiles.
Which has stronger property growth, Shellharbour or Barrack Heights?
Over the past 12 months, Barrack Heights grew +6.4% vs -6.5% in Shellharbour, a gap of 12.9 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 Shellharbour or Barrack Heights have better schools?
On average school ICSEA (the ACARA index that benchmarks educational advantage), Shellharbour 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 suburb has higher rental yield, Shellharbour or Barrack Heights?
Gross rental yield on houses is 4.28% in Barrack Heights vs 3.44% in Shellharbour. 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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The two suburbs
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