Get a property report and suburb profile for any property in Mawson Lakes

Mawson Lakes is a master-planned suburb centred on a man-made lake and wetland system, giving a waterfront feel with walking and cycling paths. Streets and promenades are designed for a walkable lifestyle and a compact shopping and cafe strip sits close to the water. Housing mixes contemporary apartments and townhouses with pockets of detached family homes. UniSA's Mawson Lakes campus and a technology and research precinct anchor the area, so residents include students, professionals and families.

The community of 13,794 has a median age of 33 and a median household income of $1,940 a week. Families are prominent and most homes are owner-occupied while about 39.6% of dwellings are rented. Mawson Lakes is served by its railway station and frequent buses, and local plans and studies recommend bus-stop and interchange upgrades, potential park-and-ride options and ongoing lakes management. Whether that mix suits you depends on what you want from a suburb.

Buying in Mawson Lakes sits well above what people there were earning at the last Census. A median house price of $890,000 is about 8.8 times a typical local household's annual income as recorded at the most recent Census, while the median unit price of $550,500 is roughly 5.5 times a local year's household income, which is somewhat above local incomes at the last Census.

If you're renting, house rent of $650 a week would take about 33.5% of a typical local household's weekly income at the last Census, a sizeable share, while unit rent of $530 a week would take about 27.3%, a moderate share. On these figures, renting—especially units—looks less stretched against local Census incomes than buying a house.

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 Mawson Lakes rose 13.7% over the past 12 months, a strong increase, while house values climbed 11.3% over the same period. Rents moved more modestly: house rents increased 8.3% and unit rents rose 6.0%, both solid rises. Across both property types the value increases outpaced rent growth this year, and units posted the largest price gain.

If rental income is your priority, the rent figures are the most relevant and house rents have risen faster than unit rents here. If capital growth is your focus, the value figures show stronger gains, particularly for units. Whether that balance fits your investment goals and circumstances is for you to weigh up.

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.