Get a property report and suburb profile for any property in Port Macquarie

Port Macquarie is a coastal regional centre on the Mid North Coast where the Hastings River meets the Pacific Ocean. The town pairs a lively riverfront and town centre with long surf beaches, coastal reserves and a scenic boardwalk at Sea Acres, so outdoor life is a strong draw for people who surf, fish, kayak or bushwalk. Notable local landmarks include Tacking Point Lighthouse and the koala hospital, and shops, cafes, medical services, a regional airport and the Pacific Highway keep the town well connected while preserving a relaxed coastal pace.

The community of 47,693 has a median age of 48 and a median household income of $1,282 a week ($66,664 a year). Homes are mostly owner-occupied—about two in three dwellings are owned outright (41.3%) or with a mortgage (25.9%) and renters make up 32.8%—and the housing mix of weatherboard cottages, riverside homes and newer suburban estates appeals to families, retirees and people seeking a sea change. Public investment is visible too, from a major hospital upgrade and school works to koala hospital redevelopment, airport and highway projects, foreshore upgrades and a council-supported social and affordable housing infill scheme.

Rents in Port Macquarie would take a large share of a typical local household's weekly income at the last Census. A house rent of $650 a week is about 50.7% of the median household weekly income at the last Census ($1,282 a week), while a unit rent of $500 a week is about 39.0% of that income, a sizeable share for renters.

Buying sits well above local incomes at the last Census: the median house price of $910,000 is about 13.7 times a typical local annual household income at the last Census (1282 × 52 = $66,664), and the median unit price of $630,000 is about 9.5 times that annual income. On these figures, buying is well above what a typical local household earned at the last Census, and renting would take a sizeable to large share of that income; 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.

Over the past 12 months in Port Macquarie, house values rose 8.8%, a solid increase, while house rents edged up 1.6%. On the house side, capital growth outpaced rental growth over the year.

Units moved differently: unit values rose 2.5% (a modest increase) and unit rents rose 4.2% (a modest rise), so rental income for units grew faster than their capital value this year. If rental income is your priority, the unit rent movement is the most relevant figure; if capital growth matters more, the house value change is the clearer indicator. Whether that balance suits you depends on your 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.