Get a property report and suburb profile for any property in South Brisbane

South Brisbane sits on the southern bank of the river opposite the CBD and is anchored by the South Bank cultural precinct, with riverside parklands, the Queensland Performing Arts Centre, Gallery of Modern Art and the Queensland Museum close at hand. The suburb mixes high-rise apartments and renovated warehouse and terrace conversions with pockets of older cottages and tree-lined streets, so it feels like inner-city living with a residential side. Cafes, restaurants and weekend markets around Grey Street and the parklands add a lively daytime scene, and trains, buses, ferries and pedestrian bridges make access to the city straightforward.

About 14,292 people live in South Brisbane, with a median age of 29 and a median household income of $1,818 a week, roughly $94,500 a year. Families are prominent among households, with most reported families being couple families, and most homes are rented rather than owner-occupied. A long-range Future South Bank Master Plan is guiding change for the precinct and there are current projects such as Cross River Rail works, the new Glasshouse Theatre at QPAC and the Whitty Building redevelopment at the Mater campus. Whether South Brisbane suits you depends on whether inner-city culture, strong transport links and a largely renting community match what you want.

On the figures for South Brisbane, paying $800 a week in rent would take about 44.0% of a typical local household's weekly income at the last Census, which is a large share of income. The median unit price of $817,500 works out to roughly 8.6 times a typical local annual household income at the last Census, a multiple that sits well above local incomes. If you are renting rather than buying, that rent share is the number that matters when you judge affordability for yourself.

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

The past year shows a strong split between houses and units. In South Brisbane, median house values fell sharply, down 27.6%, while median unit values rose strongly, up 17.3%. On the income side, house rents edged up 1.9% and unit rents rose a solid 6.7%. Taken together, the unit side has been the stronger performer this year on both capital and rental measures, whereas houses have experienced a large fall in value despite only a slight rise in rents.

Whether that balance suits you depends on your own goals and circumstances — for example, whether you are prioritising capital growth or rental income — and is something to weigh before deciding on any investment in South Brisbane.

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.