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

Waterloo sits inner-city and close to the CBD, with a mix of older public-housing estates, converted industrial buildings and contemporary apartment developments. It has a pocketed feel, with tree-lined streets, Waterloo Park and a local retail scene of cafés, small bars and independent workshops that reflect a creative, working-city character. Its location next to the Green Square renewal area and good public transport give everyday urban convenience.

The community of 16,379 is relatively young (median age 33) and leans towards couples without children; 75.2% of homes are rented while owner-occupied dwellings total 24.8%. A Sydney Metro station is now operating, an over-station Metro Quarter is under construction and a large renewal project for the southern estate is planned to deliver roughly 3,000 new homes and a two-hectare park, with planning and staged construction already under way. That mix tends to suit renters and young professionals, alongside longer-term residents and some families; whether it fits you depends on what you want from an urban suburb.

Rents in Waterloo sit at about $1,050 a week for houses and $1,000 a week for units. Against a typical local household income of $2,028 a week at the last Census, that means house rent would take roughly 51.8% of income and unit rent about 49.3% — both are a large share of a typical local household's weekly income. The median unit price of $939,000 works out to about 8.9 times a typical local annual household income at the last Census, which is well above local incomes. Which measure matters most will depend 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.

The past year shows different moves on the value and rent sides in Waterloo. Median house values rose a modest 2.5% while median unit values were slightly lower, down 0.5%. Over the same period house rents climbed a solid 7.7% and unit rents rose a modest 4.2%.

Put simply, the rent a house earns has increased faster than its price this year, whereas units saw modest rent growth even as values edged down. Which of those outcomes matters to you depends on whether you prioritise rental income or capital growth and on your own 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.