Alice Springs vs Darwin: Property Investment Comparison 2026
Side-by-side investment comparison to help you decide which suburb suits your investment goals.
Alice Springs
lowNT 0870
Darwin
mediumNT 0800
Overview
This guide compares Alice Springs (NT, 0870) and Darwin (NT, 0800) as property investment options.
| Feature | Alice Springs | Darwin |
|---|---|---|
| State | NT | NT |
| Region | Regional Major | Metro Inner |
| Risk Level | Low | Medium |
| Hybrid Score | 6.0/10 | 4.0/10 |
Price Comparison
| Price Metric | Alice Springs | Darwin |
|---|---|---|
| Median House | $430,000 | $665,000 |
| Median Unit | $260,000 | $390,000 |
| Median Townhouse | $340,000 | N/A |
Alice Springs offers a lower entry price, approximately $235,000 (35%) cheaper at the median level.
Rental Yield Comparison
| Yield Metric | Alice Springs | Darwin |
|---|---|---|
| Gross Yield | 12.13% | 6.16% |
| House Rent/wk | $1003 | $788 |
| Unit Rent/wk | $449 | $757 |
| Vacancy Rate | 2.8% | N/A |
| Days on Market | 38 | N/A |
Alice Springs offers the higher gross yield at 12.13%, a difference of 5.97 percentage points.
Growth Comparison
| Growth Metric | Alice Springs | Darwin |
|---|---|---|
| 5yr Growth p.a. | 4.1% | 7.4% |
| 10yr Growth p.a. | 3.5% | 6.3% |
| Growth Score | 4.0/10 | 7.0/10 |
Darwin has demonstrated stronger recent growth at 7.4% p.a. over the past 5 years.
Demographics Comparison
| Demographic | Alice Springs | Darwin |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 26,000 | 7,149 |
| Median Age | 33 | 33 |
| Household Income | $92,000 | $111,852 |
| Unemployment | 4.5% | 3.4% |
| Owner-Occupier | 45% | N/A |
Risk Comparison
| Risk Metric | Alice Springs | Darwin |
|---|---|---|
| Risk Level | Low | Medium |
| Price Stability | N/A | N/A |
| Volatility | N/A | N/A |
Alice Springs risks: Social challenges; Extreme climate; Population volatility; Very limited capital growth; High insurance and maintenance costs
Darwin risks:
Investment Verdict
Who should invest where?
Growth seekers may prefer investigating Darwin (growth score 7.0/10, 5yr growth 7.4% p.a.). This suburb is better positioned for capital appreciation over a longer holding period.
Yield hunters may prefer investigating Alice Springs (yield score 7.0/10, gross yield 12.13%). This suburb provides stronger rental returns and better cashflow potential.
Balanced investors seeking both growth and income may prefer Alice Springs (hybrid score 6.0/10), which offers the best overall combination of metrics.
This information is general in nature and does not constitute personal financial advice. Investment decisions should be based on your individual circumstances. Consider seeking professional advice before making any property investment.
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