Waitui vs Stewarts River.
Comparing two suburbs with median house prices of $862,500 and $1,125,000.
Waitui (median $862,500) is roughly 23% cheaper to buy into than Stewarts River ($1,125,000).
On school quality, the average ICSEA across schools serving Stewarts River (947) sits above Waitui (937). Waitui skews owner-occupied (100%), Stewarts River runs more rental-dense (88% owner).
For buyers
Waitui is the lower entry point at $862,500 median, 23% below the other suburb. For first home buyers, that translates to a smaller deposit and lower stamp duty bill.
For investors
Waitui offers the higher gross rental yield (1.99% vs 1.53%), favouring cash-flow investors.
For families
Stewarts River edges out on average school ICSEA (947 vs 937).
Common questions
Is Waitui or Stewarts River cheaper to buy in?
Waitui has the lower median house price at $862,500, roughly 23% below Stewarts River ($1,125,000). The gap on units is usually similar but worth checking on the full suburb profiles.
Does Waitui or Stewarts River have better schools?
On average school ICSEA (the ACARA index that benchmarks educational advantage), Stewarts River scores 947 vs 937 in Waitui. 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, Waitui or Stewarts River?
Gross rental yield on houses is 1.99% in Waitui vs 1.53% in Stewarts River. 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
Price & Market
Rental
Lifestyle & Demographics
Risk & Hazard
Schools
Climate
Green dot = better on that metric (lower price, higher growth, higher walkability, lower risk).
Compare Waitui against another suburb