Get a property report and suburb profile for any property in Balmain East

Balmain East sits on the eastern flank of the Balmain peninsula on Sydney Harbour around Mort Bay and has a strong waterside character. Tree-lined streets of Victorian terraces and workers' cottages sit alongside pockets of converted industrial buildings and apartments, while foreshore reserves and harbour walks are a daily draw. A local ferry wharf links directly into the city, and small cafes, parks and community facilities give the suburb a village feel.

Home to about 1,900 people with a median age of 46, Balmain East is dominated by couple households, many without children. Most homes are owner-occupied while a substantial share are rented. The area is also the focus of foreshore and ferry-precinct work, and the council has explored reopening the courthouse and consulted on public-frontage work around the town hall. Whether it suits you depends on how much you value harbour views, leafy streets and a relaxed, close-knit neighbourhood near urban amenities.

In Balmain East, against a typical local household income at the last Census of $3,020 a week, a house renting for $1,300 a week would take about 43% of that income, a large share, while a unit at $740 a week would take about 24% of income, a moderate share. If you are renting rather than buying, those rent shares are the most relevant numbers for judging how stretched housing costs would be against local incomes at the last Census.

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

The most striking movement in Balmain East over the past year is a large fall in unit values, down 30.6%. House values moved the other way, rising strongly by 17.8% over the same period. On the income side, house rents climbed strongly, up 10.6%, while unit rents rose a solid 5.7%.

For someone weighing Balmain East as an investment, the value figures relate to capital growth and the rent figures to rental income: houses showed strong gains in both price and rent this year, whereas units recorded rising rents alongside a sharp fall in value. Whether that pattern fits your objectives and circumstances is for you to judge.

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.