Homebuyers can save a fortune by looking at ‘sister suburbs’ that are offering the same convenience and proximity to the city but as much as 200% cheaper than their more expensive counterparts.
‘Sister suburbs’ are neighbourhoods that are the same distance from the city centre, but located in a different part of town.
When a homebuyer is priced out of their preferred neighbourhood, they tend to look further out until they find a location and home that suits their budget.
But savvy homebuyers may be able to secure the same level of convenience as their preferred location by looking in a different pocket.
No matter how loyal you are to your side of the city, there may be a gem waiting for you on the other side of the tracks.
REA Group senior economist Angus Moore said there were numerous factors that influenced the value of a suburb besides its proximity to the central business district (CBD).
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Homebuyers can bag a bargain by looking at ‘sister suburbs’. Picture: Getty
“The distance from the city centre is not the only thing that matters for how valuable a suburb is, and there’s a few factors that we’re seeing driving a lot of the differences here,” Mr Moore said.
“One factor is the types of homes that exist in these suburbs, with some suburbs having more apartments and others having larger properties, which can affect the relative prices.
“The other factor is where the suburbs are and the amenities available in those suburbs.”
REA Group senior economist Angus Moore said buyers looked a range of factors when searching for a home, including proximity to the city centre.
Mr Moore said natural amenities such as beaches and parks could boost the appeal of a suburb, along with shopping and popular schools.
Connectivity to the city was another consideration, with public transport and roads influencing commute times.
“All of these factors can affect the value of a suburb, even if it’s the same distance from the city centre,” Mr Moore said.
Take a look at the ‘sister suburbs’ with some of the greatest price gaps across the country.
Sydney
In Sydney, buyers can snag a home at a massive discount if they know where to look.
Take Arncliffe, located about 10 kilometres south of the Sydney CBD, where the median house price was less than half the price of Fairlight, a sister suburb to the north.
Sydney sister suburbs
| Distance from CBD | Suburb | Median house price | Sister suburb | Median house price | % Difference |
| 10km | Fairlight | $3,727,640 | Arncliffe | $1,700,000 | 119% |
| 11km | Lindfield | $3,925,000 | Campsie | $1,666,500 | 136% |
| 12km | Killara | $3,984,000 | Rockdale | $1,653,000 | 141% |
| 13km | Gordon | $3,825,000 | Belmore | $1,600,000 | 139% |
| 14km | North Curl Curl | $3,795,000 | Roselands | $1,522,500 | 149% |
| 15km | Pymble | $3,750,000 | Lidcombe | $1,565,000 | 140% |
| 16km | St Ives | $3,086,000 | Berala | $1,320,000 | 134% |
| 17km | Collaroy | $3,600,000 | Riverwood | $1,413,500 | 155% |
| 18km | St Ives Chase | $2,810,000 | Yagoona | $1,240,000 | 127% |
| 19km | Wahroonga | $2,880,500 | Condell Park | $1,380,000 | 109% |
| 20km | Elanora Heights | $2,580,000 | Revesby | $1,425,000 | 81% |
While Fairlight offered homebuyers a coastal lifestyle on the northern beaches, Arncliffe was becoming more popular for its relative value for money.
McGrath – Sans Souci real estate agent Jessica Terry said Arncliffe offered a mix of new housing developments and period homes that appealed to a range of buyers.
“We’re finding that many buyers are coming from the city or the inner west because the city is becoming quite expensive and out of reach, while Arncliffe is still close by and you can get a bit more for your money,” Ms Terry said.
“It has cafes and restaurants, while there are lots of shops in Wolli Creek, which is right next door.
“It’s a good option if you want to be close to the city and want to buy something bigger than what you could get in the city or the inner west.”
Collaroy and Riverwood, both about 17km from Sydney’s CBD, had a median price difference of 155%, marking the biggest gap in the city.
Melbourne
Melbourne offered some significant savings for buyers willing to cross over to the other side of the city.
The east-west divide was best displayed by the 246% median house price difference between Canterbury and Altona North.
Located about 10km from the Melbourne CBD, the median house price in the blue-chip eastern suburb of Canterbury was $3.2 million, while the Altona North median house price was $925,000.
Melbourne sister suburbs
| Distance from CBD | Suburb | Median | Sister suburb | Median | % Difference |
| 10km | Canterbury | $3,200,000 | Altona North | $925,000 | 246% |
| 11km | Brighton | $3,170,000 | Avondale Heights | $950,500 | 234% |
| 12km | Surrey Hills | $2,305,000 | Sunshine | $810,000 | 185% |
| 13km | Mont Albert | $2,443,000 | Albion | $750,000 | 226% |
| 14km | Hampton | $2,410,000 | Keilor Park | $811,000 | 197% |
| 15km | Bentleigh East | $1,500,000 | Jacana | $575,000 | 161% |
| 16km | Sandringham | $2,145,000 | Westmeadows | $655,000 | 227% |
| 17km | Blackburn | $1,782,750 | Laverton | $581,750 | 206% |
| 18km | Black Rock | $2,450,000 | Keilor Downs | $756,500 | 224% |
| 19km | Glen Waverley | $1,690,500 | Meadow Heights | $580,000 | 191% |
| 20km | Beaumaris | $1,955,000 | Delahey | $647,500 | 202% |
Sweeney Altona real estate agent Trent Borg said Altona North was attracting young couples and families looking for a house and land for under $1 million that was still close to the city.
“I’m finding a lot more younger couples and families entering the market here because of the proximity to the city and the water,” Mr Borg said.
“You have Altona Beach nearby, and Altona Gate shopping centre and other shopping options.
“Many buyers are working in the city and like that Newport train station is nearby, while the West Gate tunnel project will be completed soon.
“You can still pick up a house with a bit of land for under $1 million and be this close to the city.”
Looking at the north-south sister suburbs, Jacana in Melbourne’s north had a median house price of $575,000 compared to Bentleigh East in the southeast, where a house would set you back about $1.5 million.
Brisbane
Brisbane buyers have plenty of ‘sister suburbs’ with big savings too.
Located about 11km from the Brisbane city centre, Banyo in the north and Robertson to the south had vastly different median house prices.
The median house prices in Robertson and Banyo were $2.005 million and $915,000 respectively, reflecting a difference of 119%.
Brisbane sister suburbs
| Distance from CBD | Suburb | Median | Sister suburb | Median | % Difference |
| 10km | Carindale | $1,570,000 | Keperra | $928,750 | 69% |
| 11km | Robertson | $2,005,000 | Banyo | $915,000 | 119% |
| 12km | Brookfield | $1,860,000 | Zillmere | $850,000 | 119% |
| 13km | Gumdale | $2,440,000 | Boondall | $885,000 | 176% |
| 14km | Eight Mile Plains | $1,495,000 | Fitzgibbon | $720,500 | 107% |
| 15km | Rochedale | $1,720,000 | Westlake | $1,300,000 | 32% |
| 16km | Lota | $1,102,500 | Deagon | $790,500 | 39% |
| 17km | Stretton | $1,535,000 | Bald Hills | $808,750 | 90% |
| 18km | Bellbowrie | $1,050,000 | Forest Lake | $815,000 | 29% |
| 19km | Parkinson | $1,210,000 | Strathpine | $750,000 | 61% |
| 20km | Samford Valley | $1,825,000 | Woodridge | $605,500 | 201% |
Ray White – Banyo principal licensee real estate agent and owner Renee Rennie said Banyo offered a village-style lifestyle close to the city and the airport.
“Banyo is 24 minutes from the CBD by train and it’s a 10-minute drive to the airport,” she said.
The three-bedroom house at 5 Chapel Street, Banyo sold for $900,000 last month. Picture: realestate.com.au/sold
“There is a real community feel here and we’re seeing a lot of younger professionals with families looking in the area.
“There are five daycare centres in the area, which just shows you the explosion of the families who are purchasing in the area.”
Ms Rennie said there were a lot of homebuyers looking at Banyo who were new to the area.
“Buyers are seeing good value for money here because of all of those attributes,” she said.
“People are casting a wider net in their home search now and they want to live a certain number of kilometres from the CBD and they also want good access.”
Adelaide
In Adelaide, there were huge price differences between suburbs of similar distance from the city centre.
Adelaide sister suburbs
| Distance from CBD | Suburb | Median | Sister suburb | Median | % Difference |
| 10km | Somerton Park | $1,610,000 | Pennington | $737,500 | 118% |
| 11km | North Brighton | $1,340,000 | Ottoway | $670,200 | 100% |
| 12km | Craigburn Farm | $1,230,000 | Ingle Farm | $674,750 | 82% |
| 13km | Coromandel Valley | $910,500 | Para Vista | $680,000 | 34% |
| 14km | Stirling | $1,406,000 | Para Hills | $658,250 | 114% |
| 15km | Marino | $1,245,000 | Ridgehaven | $701,000 | 78% |
| 16km | Aldgate | $1,332,500 | Parafield Gardens | $670,000 | 99% |
| 17km | Bridgewater | $891,250 | Brahma Lodge | $590,000 | 51% |
| 18km | Hallett Cove | $841,500 | Salisbury Downs | $623,750 | 35% |
| 19km | North Haven | $875,500 | Old Reynella | $720,525 | 22% |
| 20km | Woodcroft | $759,500 | Salisbury North | $545,000 | 39% |
Somerton Park and Pennington, both 10km from the CBD, had a median price gap of 118%, marking one of the biggest price differences in the city.
The median house price in the seaside suburb of Somerton Park was $1.61 million, while Pennington in the north had a median price of $737,500.
At 14km from the CBD, the median prices in Stirling located in the Adelaide Hills and Para Hills situated in the northern suburbs were $1.406 million and $658,250, respectively.
The price difference between the two suburbs was 114%.
Perth
Homebuyers can also find some significant savings across Perth.
One of the biggest price differences was between Attadale and Westminster, both situated about 10km from the CBD.
Perth sister suburbs
| Distance from CBD | Suburb | Median | Sister suburb | Median | % Difference |
| 10km | Attadale | $1,820,000 | Westminster | $601,500 | 203% |
| 11km | Cottesloe | $3,550,000 | Karrinyup | $1,390,000 | 155% |
| 12km | Winthrop | $1,490,555 | Koondoola | $560,000 | 166% |
| 13km | Trigg | $1,965,000 | Kardinya | $932,500 | 111% |
| 14km | North Beach | $1,700,000 | Alexander Heights | $715,500 | 138% |
| 15km | White Gum Valley | $1,300,000 | Forrestfield | $655,000 | 98% |
| 16km | South Fremantle | $1,420,000 | Madeley | $817,000 | 74% |
| 17km | Sorrento | $1,590,000 | South Lake | $673,750 | 136% |
| 18km | Gooseberry Hill | $1,075,000 | Spearwood | $762,500 | 41% |
| 19km | North Coogee | $1,700,000 | Pearsall | $736,250 | 131% |
| 20km | Coogee | $1,205,000 | Craigie | $780,000 | 54% |
The median price of the riverside suburb of Attadale – south of the city centre – was $1.82 million, while the northern suburb of Westminster was $601,500.
Earlier this month, the five-bedroom house at 106 Burke Drive, Attadale sold for $7.525 million. Picture: realestate.com.au/sold
