Karratha vs Rockingham: Property Investment Comparison 2026
Side-by-side investment comparison to help you decide which suburb suits your investment goals.
Karratha
mediumWA 6714
Rockingham
lowWA 6168
Overview
This guide compares Karratha (WA, 6714) and Rockingham (WA, 6168) as property investment options.
| Feature | Karratha | Rockingham |
|---|---|---|
| State | WA | WA |
| Region | Regional Minor | Metro Outer |
| Risk Level | Medium | Low |
| Hybrid Score | 6.0/10 | 9.0/10 |
Price Comparison
| Price Metric | Karratha | Rockingham |
|---|---|---|
| Median House | $650,000 | $550,000 |
| Median Unit | $420,000 | $360,000 |
| Median Townhouse | N/A | $450,000 |
Rockingham offers a lower entry price, approximately $100,000 (15%) cheaper at the median level.
Rental Yield Comparison
| Yield Metric | Karratha | Rockingham |
|---|---|---|
| Gross Yield | 11.54% | 5.99% |
| House Rent/wk | $1443 | $634 |
| Unit Rent/wk | $1212 | $580 |
| Vacancy Rate | N/A | 1.3% |
| Days on Market | N/A | 21 |
Karratha offers the higher gross yield at 11.54%, a difference of 5.55 percentage points.
Growth Comparison
| Growth Metric | Karratha | Rockingham |
|---|---|---|
| 5yr Growth p.a. | 5.0% | 10.5% |
| 10yr Growth p.a. | 4.3% | 5.0% |
| Growth Score | 7.0/10 | 8.0/10 |
Rockingham has demonstrated stronger recent growth at 10.5% p.a. over the past 5 years.
Demographics Comparison
| Demographic | Karratha | Rockingham |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 17,657 | 39,000 |
| Median Age | 32 | 36 |
| Household Income | $165,776 | $82,000 |
| Unemployment | 2.7% | 5.0% |
| Owner-Occupier | N/A | 60% |
Risk Comparison
| Risk Metric | Karratha | Rockingham |
|---|---|---|
| Risk Level | Medium | Low |
| Price Stability | N/A | 6.8/10 |
| Volatility | N/A | 3.8 |
Karratha risks:
Rockingham risks: Distance from Perth CBD; Dependent on defence sector; Some older housing requires renovation
Investment Verdict
Who should invest where?
Growth seekers may prefer investigating Rockingham (growth score 8.0/10, 5yr growth 10.5% p.a.). This suburb is better positioned for capital appreciation over a longer holding period.
Yield hunters may prefer investigating Rockingham (yield score 9.0/10, gross yield 5.99%). This suburb provides stronger rental returns and better cashflow potential.
Balanced investors seeking both growth and income may prefer Rockingham (hybrid score 9.0/10), 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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