Question 1

Is Ararat a nice place to live?

Accepted Answer

Ararat is a regional town in western Victoria that serves surrounding farms and acts as a gateway to the Grampians. Its compact, walkable centre features heritage bluestone buildings, cafés and local shops, while housing ranges from period cottages on tree-lined streets to larger rural properties on the outskirts. The town is home to about 8,500 people, with a median age of 45, and attracts families, retirees and people working in regional industries. Most homes are owner-occupied (72.6%), with around 27.4% rented.

Day-to-day life is shaped by a regional rail station and good highway links, and easy access to volcanic hills and parkland for bushwalking and outdoor recreation. There has also been public investment in transport, health and community facilities, including train infrastructure upgrades, hospital and school funding, a recent library refurbishment and planning for a bike network and leisure centre. Whether Ararat suits you comes down to what you want from a regional town.

Question 2

Is it expensive to live in Ararat?

Accepted Answer

At about 6.9 times a typical local annual household income at the last Census, the median house price of $435,500 in Ararat sits well above what households earned at the last Census. That suggests buying a house here is relatively stretched against local incomes recorded at the last Census.

Looking at rents, against a typical local household income of $1,216 a week at the last Census a house rent of $420 a week would take about 34.5% of that income, a sizeable share, while a unit at $330 a week would take about 27.1%, a moderate share. Which number matters most depends on whether you plan to rent or buy and on your own circumstances.

Everyone's financial situation is different, so it's important to consider your own circumstances when deciding which suburb is right for you.

Question 3

Is Ararat a good place to invest?

Accepted Answer

Unit values in Ararat climbed 18.3% over the past 12 months, a strong rise, while house values also increased 14.1% over the year. House rents rose 7.7% in the same period, a solid gain, so for houses the increase in capital value outpaced rental income during the year. The value figures show units rose faster than houses over the 12 months. Whether that balance fits your investment goals and circumstances is something only you can decide.

This information has been prepared without taking your objectives, needs and overall financial situation into account. It is not meant to be a substitute for professional financial advice. For this reason, you should consider the appropriateness of the information and, if necessary, seek appropriate professional advice.

	Houses	Units
Median price Past 3 months	$436K	N/A
Change in value Past 12 months	14.1%	18.3%
Sold Past 3 months	54	8
Median days on market Past 12 months	40	40
Average rent Past 12 months	$420	$330
Change in rent Past 12 months	7.7%	N/A

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