Question 1

Is O'Malley a nice place to live?

Accepted Answer

O'Malley is a small, quietly residential pocket in Canberra's inner-south, part of the Woden Valley, with tree-lined streets and mostly single-storey homes on generous blocks alongside some newer infill. The community leans heavily towards families, and the suburb numbers 928 people with a median age of 51 and a median total household income of $4,476 a week. About nine in ten households are owner-occupied and around 10.6% are rented, giving the area an established, settled feel that suits professionals and long-term locals who value calm streets and private gardens.

Everyday life here benefits from small reserves and walking routes nearby, direct access to Mount Mugga Mugga Nature Reserve, and Woden town centre shops and services within easy reach. Regular bus links and nearby arterial roads make connections to central Canberra straightforward, and several local projects are under way or planned, including works at the Canberra Hospital campus, upgrades to Garran Primary School, the Woden Town Centre renewal and the proposed Light Rail extension to Woden. Whether that mix suits you will depend on what you want from a suburb.

Question 2

Is it expensive to live in O'Malley?

Accepted Answer

House rents in O'Malley run to $1,725 a week. Against the typical local household income of $4,476 a week as recorded at the most recent Census, that rent would take about 38.6% of a typical household's weekly income, which is a sizeable share of income.

If you are renting, that rent share is the most relevant number to judge how stretched housing costs would be; whether it 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.

Question 3

Is O'Malley a good place to invest?

Accepted Answer

Over the past 12 months in O'Malley, the median house value rose 4.1%, a modest increase, while house rents climbed 7.8%, a solid rise. For the house market this year, rental income growth outpaced capital growth, so the rent a house earns increased faster than its price did over the same period.

If you're weighing O'Malley up as an investment, those two figures point to different strengths depending on your goals: the rent movement is the number that matters for income, and the value change is what matters for capital growth. There is less available for the unit side right now, so this summary focuses on houses.

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.

	Houses	Units
Median price Past 3 months	N/A	N/A
Change in value Past 12 months	4.1%	N/A
Sold Past 3 months	5	N/A
Median days on market Past 12 months	83	N/A
Average rent Past 12 months	$1725	N/A
Change in rent Past 12 months	7.8%	N/A

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