Side by sideSuburb comparison

Tamarama vs Waverley.

Comparing two suburbs with median house prices of $7,100,000 and $4,350,000. Waverley edges out on more headline metrics in this comparison.

Waverley (median $4,350,000) is roughly 63% cheaper to buy into than Tamarama ($7,100,000). Over the past year, Waverley (+0.6%) ran 19.5 percentage points ahead of Tamarama (-18.9%) on house-price growth.

On school quality, the average ICSEA across schools serving Waverley (1152) sits above Tamarama (1139).

The takeWhich suburb suits which buyer

For buyers

Waverley is the lower entry point at $4,350,000 median, 63% below the other suburb. For first home buyers, that translates to a smaller deposit and lower stamp duty bill.

For investors

Waverley carries both higher gross yield (2.12% vs 1.32%) and stronger 12-month growth. On the headline numbers, it's the cleaner investor case of the two.

For families

Waverley edges out on average school ICSEA (1152 vs 1139).

Common questionsTamarama vs Waverley

Common questions

Is Tamarama or Waverley cheaper to buy in?

Waverley has the lower median house price at $4,350,000, roughly 63% below Tamarama ($7,100,000). The gap on units is usually similar but worth checking on the full suburb profiles.

Which has stronger property growth, Tamarama or Waverley?

Over the past 12 months, Waverley grew +0.6% vs -18.9% in Tamarama, a gap of 19.5 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 Tamarama or Waverley have better schools?

On average school ICSEA (the ACARA index that benchmarks educational advantage), Waverley scores 1152 vs 1139 in Tamarama. 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, Tamarama or Waverley?

Gross rental yield on houses is 2.12% in Waverley vs 1.32% in Tamarama. 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

Tamarama
Metric
Waverley

Price & Market

$7,100,000
Median house
$4,350,000
$538,560
Median unit
$617,760
-18.9%
Annual growth (house)
+0.6%
Days on market

Rental

$1800/wk
Rent (house / wk)
$1775/wk
$1000/wk
Rent (unit / wk)
$980/wk
53.0%
Owner occupied
52.0%
45.0%
Renter occupied
43.0%

Lifestyle & Demographics

100
Walk score
100
0
Transit score
10
100
Bike score
100
1,478
Population
4,216
36
Median age
38

Risk & Hazard

Flood class
Bushfire risk

Schools

20
Schools nearby
20
1139
Avg ICSEA
1152

Climate

1302 mm
Annual rainfall
1302 mm
26.0°C
Mean max (Jan)
26.0°C

Green dot = better on that metric (lower price, higher growth, higher walkability, lower risk).