Waterways vs Chelsea Heights.
Comparing two suburbs with median house prices of $1,635,000 and $1,008,500. Chelsea Heights edges out on more headline metrics in this comparison.
Chelsea Heights (median $1,008,500) is roughly 62% cheaper to buy into than Waterways ($1,635,000).
On school quality, the average ICSEA across schools serving Chelsea Heights (1079) sits above Waterways (1077).
For buyers
Chelsea Heights is the lower entry point at $1,008,500 median, 62% below the other suburb. For first home buyers, that translates to a smaller deposit and lower stamp duty bill.
For investors
Chelsea Heights offers the higher gross rental yield (2.04% vs 1.34%), favouring cash-flow investors.
For families
Chelsea Heights edges out on average school ICSEA (1079 vs 1077). Waterways also has a higher family-household share (93% vs 75%), so the catchment community skews family-heavy.
Common questions
Is Waterways or Chelsea Heights cheaper to buy in?
Chelsea Heights has the lower median house price at $1,008,500, roughly 62% below Waterways ($1,635,000). The gap on units is usually similar but worth checking on the full suburb profiles.
Does Waterways or Chelsea Heights have better schools?
On average school ICSEA (the ACARA index that benchmarks educational advantage), Chelsea Heights scores 1079 vs 1077 in Waterways. 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, Waterways or Chelsea Heights?
Gross rental yield on houses is 2.04% in Chelsea Heights vs 1.34% in Waterways. 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 Waterways against another suburb