Ultimo vs Darlington
Ultimo (median $1,632,500) is roughly 14% cheaper to buy into than Darlington ($1,900,000). Over the past year, Darlington (+10.1%) ran 12.3 percentage points ahead of Ultimo (-2.2%) on house-price growth.
Buying in Ultimo or Darlington?
Selling in Ultimo? The free selling guide
Ultimo and Darlington side by side
| Measure | Ultimo | Darlington |
|---|---|---|
| Price and market | ||
| Median house | $1,632,500 | $1,900,000 |
| Median unit | $845,000 | $411,840 |
| House price change, 12 months | -2.2% | +10.1% |
| Renting | ||
| House rent | $850/wk | $650/wk |
| Unit rent | $740/wk | $915/wk |
| Owner occupied | 25.0% | – |
| Renter occupied | 68.0% | – |
| Schools | ||
| Schools nearby | 20 | 20 |
| Average ICSEA | 1051 | 1042 |
| Lifestyle and people | ||
| Walk score | 100 | 100 |
| Transit score | 10 | 100 |
| Bike score | 100 | 100 |
| Population | 7,410 | – |
| Median age | 30 | – |
| Climate | ||
| Annual rainfall | 1101 mm | 1101 mm |
| Mean max, January | 27.1°C | 27.1°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 Ultimo (1051) sits above Darlington (1042).
- For buyers
- Ultimo is the lower entry point at $1,632,500 median, 14% 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: Ultimo delivers the better gross yield (2.71% vs 1.78%), but Darlington 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
- Ultimo edges out on average school ICSEA (1051 vs 1042).
Ultimo vs Darlington: common questions
Is Ultimo or Darlington cheaper to buy in?
Ultimo has the lower median house price at $1,632,500, roughly 14% below Darlington ($1,900,000). The gap on units is usually similar but worth checking on the full suburb profiles.
Which has stronger property growth, Ultimo or Darlington?
Over the past 12 months, Darlington grew +10.1% vs -2.2% in Ultimo, a gap of 12.3 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 Ultimo or Darlington have better schools?
On average school ICSEA (the ACARA index that benchmarks educational advantage), Ultimo scores 1051 vs 1042 in Darlington. 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, Ultimo or Darlington?
Gross rental yield on houses is 2.71% in Ultimo vs 1.78% in Darlington. 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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