Get a property report and suburb profile for any property in Ettalong Beach

Ettalong Beach is a relaxed coastal village on the Central Coast, on Brisbane Water with a foreshore and promenade. The waterfront centre has cafes, bakeries and shops, and a regular ferry links to Palm Beach and the northern beaches. Housing ranges from weatherboard cottages and holiday houses to low-rise apartments, attracting long-term locals, retirees and people seeking a beachside lifestyle. Outdoor life is central with swimming, boating and easy access to Bouddi National Park and Umina Beach.

Home to 5,161 people with a median age of 54, Ettalong Beach is weighted towards couples without children and has a majority of owner-occupiers with many renters. Recent works have upgraded the wharf and entrance channel; council has added a shared path on The Esplanade and formalised planning controls for the village while foreshore improvements are under consideration. If you want a settled, beachside place focused on water recreation, Ettalong Beach shows that character; whether it suits you depends on what you want.

Buying in Ettalong Beach sits well above local incomes at the last Census. A median house price of $1,325,000 is about 23.7 times a typical local household's annual income at the last Census, and a median unit price of $960,000 is about 17.1 times that annual income. Renting also takes a large share of local income: $680 a week for a house is roughly 63.1% of a typical local household's weekly income at the last Census, and $590 a week for a unit is about 54.8%. For many people the rent-share or the price multiple is the most relevant figure when weighing cost.

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 were the standout over the past year in Ettalong Beach, rising 12.0% — a strong increase. House values also climbed, up 7.4% over the year, a solid gain. On the income side, house rents rose 7.9% and unit rents rose 8.3%, both solid increases; for houses the rent increase was slightly larger than the value rise (7.9% v 7.4%), while for units capital growth outpaced rent growth (12.0% v 8.3%). If rental income is your priority, the rent figures are the ones to watch; if you care more about capital growth, the unit value change is the clearest movement this year. Whether that suits your 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.