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

Scarborough is a coastal suburb on the Redcliffe Peninsula overlooking Moreton Bay, with a relaxed bayside character centred on its esplanade, picnic reserves and beachside open space. Life there is shaped by the bay outlook, with water-based recreation and evening sunsets at the heart of local life. Housing runs from classic Queenslander and weatherboard cottages to low-rise units and modern waterfront homes, and the area attracts a mix of families, retirees and people who boat, so it suits those who want easy access to the water and a quieter seaside pace.

The suburb is home to 9,178 people, the median age is 53, and about two-thirds of homes are owner-occupied (68.7%). A village-style strip of cafes, shops and services sits near the water and regular bus links connect the area to the rest of the peninsula. Recent and ongoing local works include coastal protection and foreshore stabilisation on Flinders Parade, a Scarborough Boat Harbour master plan and other council projects such as shared-path upgrades, road rehabilitation and proposed embankment reconstruction.

Housing in Scarborough (4020) sits high against local incomes as recorded at the most recent Census. With a typical household weekly income of $1,336 at the last Census, the median house price of $1,220,000 is about 17.6 times a typical local annual household income and the median unit price of $1,178,000 is about 17.0 times. On the rental side, $680 a week for a house would take about 50.9% of that weekly household income and $625 a week for a unit about 46.8%—both a large share of a typical local household's weekly income at the last Census. Whether that feels expensive depends on your own circumstances.

Everyone's financial situation is different, so it's important to consider your own circumstances when deciding which suburb is right for you.

A clear split shows up in Scarborough over the past year. Unit values jumped 20.2%, a strong rise, while house values rose a solid 7.1%. On the income side, house rents increased 4.6% over the year, a moderate rise, while unit rents fell 3.8%, a moderate decline.

If capital growth is your priority, the units side has been the stronger performer this year. If rental income matters more, houses have seen rents move up while unit rents went down, so the income picture favours houses over units on the data for the past 12 months. Whether that balance suits your goals and circumstances is something only you can decide.

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.