Get a property report and suburb profile for any property in Kotara

Kotara is a well established suburb centred on Westfield Kotara, which supplies most of the area's shops, cinemas and cafes. The neighbourhood mixes mid-century weatherboard cottages and brick family homes with pockets of modern townhouses and units, so it attracts long-term local families, professionals and downsizers looking for convenience. Residents use neighbourhood parks, sporting fields and local shops for everyday needs, and regular bus services plus nearby main roads make access to the city, beaches and regional services straightforward.

Kotara has a population of 3,980 with a median age of 39 and a typical household income of $2,077 a week. Families are prominent and 78.5% of homes are owner-occupied, so owner-occupiers considerably outnumber renters. The area is part of a Transport Oriented Development precinct with design work underway to improve station accessibility and preparatory station works have taken place. Local features include the Carnley Avenue entrance to Blackbutt Reserve, a Blackbutt Multipurpose Community Facility and café, and an upgraded Kotara High School.

At a median house price of $1,087,500, buying in Kotara works out to about 10.1 times a typical local annual household income at the last Census, which places buying well above what people locally earned then. Renting is cheaper in cash terms but still takes a large slice of income: a house rent of $795 a week would be about 38.3% of a typical local household's weekly income at the last Census, and a unit rent of $725 a week would be about 34.9%. On these figures, buying is the more stretched option against local incomes at the last Census, while renting would take a sizeable share of a typical household's weekly income.

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

Unit rents in Kotara jumped 20.8% over the past year, making the rent a unit earns the strongest single movement shown here. If rental income is your priority, that unit rent change is the most relevant number from these figures.

House values rose 10.6% over the year, a strong increase, while house rents climbed 6.0%, a solid rise. For houses this year the capital growth outpaced rental growth, but which of those outcomes matters more will depend 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.