Ballarat vs Darwin: Property Investment Comparison 2026
Side-by-side investment comparison to help you decide which suburb suits your investment goals.
Ballarat
lowVIC 3350
Darwin
mediumNT 0800
Overview
This guide compares Ballarat (VIC, 3350) and Darwin (NT, 0800) as property investment options.
| Feature | Ballarat | Darwin |
|---|---|---|
| State | VIC | NT |
| Region | Regional Major | Metro Inner |
| Risk Level | Low | Medium |
| Hybrid Score | 6.0/10 | 4.0/10 |
Price Comparison
| Price Metric | Ballarat | Darwin |
|---|---|---|
| Median House | $540,000 | $665,000 |
| Median Unit | $340,000 | $390,000 |
| Median Townhouse | $430,000 | N/A |
Ballarat offers a lower entry price, approximately $125,000 (19%) cheaper at the median level.
Rental Yield Comparison
| Yield Metric | Ballarat | Darwin |
|---|---|---|
| Gross Yield | 4.58% | 6.16% |
| House Rent/wk | $476 | $788 |
| Unit Rent/wk | $370 | $757 |
| Vacancy Rate | 1.3% | N/A |
| Days on Market | 27 | N/A |
Darwin offers the higher gross yield at 6.16%, a difference of 1.58 percentage points.
Growth Comparison
| Growth Metric | Ballarat | Darwin |
|---|---|---|
| 5yr Growth p.a. | 6.8% | 7.4% |
| 10yr Growth p.a. | 7.2% | 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 | Ballarat | Darwin |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 110,000 | 7,149 |
| Median Age | 36 | 33 |
| Household Income | $76,000 | $111,852 |
| Unemployment | 4.5% | 3.4% |
| Owner-Occupier | 58% | N/A |
Risk Comparison
| Risk Metric | Ballarat | Darwin |
|---|---|---|
| Risk Level | Low | Medium |
| Price Stability | 7.2/10 | N/A |
| Volatility | 3.2 | N/A |
Ballarat risks: Cold winters limit appeal; V/Line reliability concerns; Competition from Geelong for commuters
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 Ballarat (yield score 7.0/10, gross yield 4.58%). This suburb provides stronger rental returns and better cashflow potential.
Balanced investors seeking both growth and income may prefer Ballarat (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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