Yamba vs Iluka
Iluka (median $800,000) is roughly 14% cheaper to buy into than Yamba ($935,000). Over the past year, Iluka (-3.3%) ran 1.0 percentage points ahead of Yamba (-4.3%) on house-price growth.
Buying in Yamba or Iluka?
Selling in Yamba? The free selling guide
Yamba and Iluka side by side
| Measure | Yamba | Iluka |
|---|---|---|
| Price and market | ||
| Median house | $935,000 | $800,000 |
| Median unit | $254,880 | $205,920 |
| House price change, 12 months | -4.3% | -3.3% |
| Renting | ||
| House rent | $700/wk | $513/wk |
| Unit rent | $560/wk | – |
| Owner occupied | 69.0% | 65.0% |
| Renter occupied | 27.0% | 30.0% |
| Schools | ||
| Schools nearby | 5 | 12 |
| Average ICSEA | 987 | 976 |
| Lifestyle and people | ||
| Walk score | 4 | 12 |
| Transit score | 0 | 0 |
| Bike score | 90 | 20 |
| Population | 6,405 | 1,764 |
| Median age | 57 | 62 |
| Climate | ||
| Annual rainfall | 1390 mm | 1374 mm |
| Mean max, January | 28.0°C | 28.1°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
Iluka scores higher on walkability (4/100 vs 12/100 ), useful if you're optimising for a car-light household. On school quality, the average ICSEA across schools serving Yamba (987) sits above Iluka (976).
- For buyers
- Iluka is the lower entry point at $800,000 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: Yamba delivers the better gross yield (3.89% vs 3.33%), but Iluka 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
- Yamba edges out on average school ICSEA (987 vs 976).
Yamba vs Iluka: common questions
Is Yamba or Iluka cheaper to buy in?
Iluka has the lower median house price at $800,000, roughly 14% below Yamba ($935,000). The gap on units is usually similar but worth checking on the full suburb profiles.
Which has stronger property growth, Yamba or Iluka?
Over the past 12 months, Iluka grew -3.3% vs -4.3% in Yamba, a gap of 1.0 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 Yamba or Iluka have better schools?
On average school ICSEA (the ACARA index that benchmarks educational advantage), Yamba scores 987 vs 976 in Iluka. 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 is more walkable, Yamba or Iluka?
Iluka scores 12/100 on walkability vs 4/100. Above 70 is considered very walkable (most errands on foot), 50-69 is walkable for some errands, below 50 typically requires a car for daily life.
Which suburb has higher rental yield, Yamba or Iluka?
Gross rental yield on houses is 3.89% in Yamba vs 3.33% in Iluka. 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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