Get a property report and suburb profile for any property in Darwin City

Darwin City is the Northern Territory's compact waterfront CBD, centred on the Darwin Waterfront and Esplanade where harbour wharves, promenades and parks sit alongside government offices, corporate buildings, hotels and apartment towers. There is a strong alfresco culture, with cafes and restaurants spilling onto shady streets and the foreshore, and many people live in apartments or short-stay accommodation above shops. Ferry and cruise links and bus connections tie the centre to surrounding suburbs, and the tropical wet and dry seasons shape everyday life and outdoor leisure.

About 7,149 people live in Darwin City, with a median age of 33 and a median household income of $2,151 a week. Households are dominated by couples and most homes are rented (77.3% of dwellings). The CBD is also the focus of a major civic renewal, with a proposed Civic Centre and a masterplan to revitalise State Square, ongoing waterfront precinct work and a convention centre upgrade, and Charles Darwin University’s Danala education and community precinct now in the CBD. If you favour apartment living close to work, waterfront amenities and public transport, Darwin City is a setting to consider.

On the figures for Darwin City, both renting and buying a unit sit at noticeable levels against what a typical local household earned at the last Census. An average house rent of $750 a week would take about 34.9% of the median local household's weekly income of $2,151 at the last Census, while an average unit rent of $680 a week would take about 31.6% of that income. The median unit price of $481,500 is roughly 4.3 times a typical local annual household income at the last Census, which sits somewhat above local incomes. Whether that feels expensive depends on your own income and circumstances.

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

Unit values in Darwin City climbed 8.2% over the past 12 months, a solid rise. Rents also moved higher: unit rents increased 7.9% and house rents increased 7.1% over the same period.

Put simply, the unit side showed both capital growth and rental income growth at similar paces this year, while houses saw slightly smaller rent growth. If rental income is your priority, the rent figures are the most relevant; if capital growth is your focus, the unit value change is the key number. Whether those movements make Darwin City a suitable investment depends on your own goals and circumstances.

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.