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

Merrimac sits on the Gold Coast’s hinterland fringe with a relaxed, semi-rural character. Housing ranges from older weatherboard cottages and single-storey brick homes to low-rise townhouses, many set among mature gardens, and there are pockets of acreage and green corridors along Merrimac Creek. Local life centres on a neighbourhood shopping centre, primary schools, parks and walking trails, while road links to the M1 and nearby train stations make commuting manageable and coast and hinterland recreation easy to reach.

The community of 7,212 people has a median age of 38 and is weighted towards couples and families, and most homes are owner-occupied (64.7%). Merrimac is the site of a planned rail station under the Cross River Rail program and is part of the City of Gold Coast’s Greenheart regional parkland master plan; a recently opened primary school is completing final-stage works. That mix tends to suit families and professionals after a quieter, established suburb with everyday amenities close by.

Rents in Merrimac sit at a large share of a typical local household's income at the last Census. A house renting for $870 a week is about 51.5% of a $1,688 weekly household income at the last Census, and a unit at $780 a week is about 46.2% of that income. Buying is farther from local earnings: the median house price of $1,052,000 is about 12.0 times a typical local annual household income at the last Census, and the median unit price of $828,750 is about 9.4 times. If you plan to rent rather than buy, the rent shares are the key numbers; for buyers, look to the price multiples.

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 Merrimac climbed 18.5% over the past 12 months, a strong rise, while house values also increased strongly, up 10.8%. On the value side, units were the clearer standout this year.

Rents rose as well: house rents were up 8.8% (a solid increase) and unit rents rose 6.1% (also solid). If rental income is your focus, the rent figures are the relevant ones; if capital growth matters more, the value figures are the relevant ones. Over the past year in Merrimac, value growth outpaced rent growth, especially for units, so which of those outcomes suits you depends on your investment 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.