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

Narrabeen centres on a wide surf beach and the calm waters of Narrabeen Lagoon, and that beach-and-lagoon setting shapes daily life. Residents make the most of surfing, kayaking and lakeside walking and cycling routes, while a compact village near the water has cafes, takeaway spots and everyday shops. Housing runs from original beach cottages and postwar homes to contemporary renovations and low-rise apartments, creating a mixed residential feel that appeals to families, surfers and anyone after relaxed coastal living.

The suburb is home to 8,255 people with a median age of 48 and a median household income of $1,780 a week (about $92,600 a year). Its family profile is dominated by couples, who make up over four in five families, and most homes are owner-occupied (57.3%) with 42.7% rented. Public transport includes a B-Line stop with commuter car park and park-and-ride facilities, plus on-demand Keoride services and planned additional high-capacity buses; council coastal works on the lagoon entrance and dune reshaping have also been under way. Whether Narrabeen suits you will depend on how much you value beachside, outdoor living and local village convenience.

Housing costs in Narrabeen sit well above local incomes at the last Census. On the rental side, a typical house rent of $1,320 a week would take about 74.2% of a typical local household's weekly income at the last Census, a large share, while a typical unit rent of $850 a week would take about 47.8% of that weekly income, also a large share. For buyers, the median house price of $3,075,000 is about 33.2 times a typical local annual household income at the last Census, and the median unit price of $1,115,000 is about 12.0 times. 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.

House values in Narrabeen climbed a strong 20.7% over the past 12 months. House rents rose a modest 3.5% over the same period, so on houses capital growth far outpaced rental income. Unit values increased 5.1% while unit rents rose a solid 6.2%, meaning unit rents edged ahead of unit prices this year.

For someone weighing Narrabeen up as an investment, that means the house side produced the larger capital gains over the year, while units showed the stronger rental movement. Which of those outcomes matters most to you depends on your objectives 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.