Question 1

Is Stockton a nice place to live?

Accepted Answer

Stockton sits on the northern side of the Hunter River estuary facing Newcastle and has a strong seaside village character centred on a long beach and towering dunes. Daily life revolves around the foreshore, the ferry wharf and outdoor pursuits such as fishing, swimming and dune walking. Housing is mainly older weatherboard cottages and low-rise homes with a handful of beachfront properties and units near the water, while a small village strip of cafés, takeaways and basic services gives the suburb a relaxed maritime everyday pace.

The community of 4,046 has a median age of 47, and couple households with and without children make up nearly four in five households; around seven in ten homes are owner-occupied. Several government-led projects are shaping Stockton, from repurposing the former Stockton Centre into transitional accommodation to a large sand nourishment program for the beach and proposed residential development on the former Stockton Rifle Range. If you prioritise living by the water and an established small-suburb community, Stockton may suit you.

Question 2

Is it expensive to live in Stockton?

Accepted Answer

At a median of $1,282,500, a house in Stockton works out to about 16.1 times a typical local household's annual income at the last Census (weekly household income $1,535, annualised to $79,820). On those figures, buying a house sits well above what local households earned at the last Census.

Rents are also a notable share of that Census income: a house rent of $720 a week would take about 47.0% of a typical local household's weekly income at the last Census, a large share, while a unit rent of $473 a week would take about 30.8%, a sizeable share. Which of these matters most depends on whether you plan to rent or buy and 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.

Question 3

Is Stockton a good place to invest?

Accepted Answer

Rents were the clearest story in Stockton over the past 12 months. House values rose a modest 2.0%, while house rents climbed a strong 10.8% and unit rents jumped 15.4%. In other words, rental income increased substantially faster than house prices this year, and unit rents grew faster than house rents.

If rental income is your priority, those rent figures are the ones to watch; if you are focused on capital growth, the 2.0% rise in house values is the relevant number. Whether that balance fits 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.

	Houses	Units
Median price Past 3 months	$1.28M	N/A
Change in value Past 12 months	2.0%	N/A
Sold Past 3 months	14	N/A
Median days on market Past 12 months	45	N/A
Average rent Past 12 months	$720	$473
Change in rent Past 12 months	10.8%	15.4%

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