Darlinghurst NSW Property Investment
City of Sydney · 2010 · Score: 67/100 · Buy
Darlinghurst Short-Term Rental (Airbnb) Market
Darlinghurst NSW Investment Brief
## 1. Investment Verdict Buy – the suburb scores 67.0 / 100 on the Estait Investment Scorecard, the highest single figure that justifies the recommendation.
---
## 2. Market Overview - Median house price: $2,444,964 - Median unit price: $1,061,738 - 1‑yr price growth: +3.7% - 5‑yr CAGR: +5.6% per annum - 3‑yr growth forecast: +10.4%
*Days on market* is not supplied in the data set, so we cannot quantify how quickly properties are selling.
Signal: Positive price growth (3.7% YoY) and a strong 5‑yr CAGR (5.6%) indicate a seller‑friendly environment, but the modest 1‑yr increase suggests the market is not overheated. Buyers should expect modest price appreciation while sellers can still command premium prices.
---
## 3. Rental Market - Median weekly rent: $1,225 - Gross rental yield: 2.6%
*Vacancy rate* and *demand rating* are not provided.
Implication: A 2.6% gross yield is below the 3‑4% benchmark many investors target, meaning cash‑flow pressure is higher. However, the high rent level ($1,225 pw) reflects strong tenant demand and can support capital‑growth strategies rather than pure income‑focused investing.
---
## 4. Short‑Term Rental Opportunity No data are supplied for STR nightly rates, occupancy percentages, or estimated annual revenue. Consequently we cannot calculate an STR yield or compare it to the long‑term rental (LTR) return.
Conclusion: With only LTR data available, investors should treat Darlinghurst as a conventional rental market until STR metrics become known.
---
## 5. Infrastructure & Growth Drivers The data set does not list specific projects, transport upgrades, or major employers. The suburb’s proximity to the Sydney CBD (within 5 km) is a built‑in advantage that typically underpins demand, but we cannot quantify additional drivers from the supplied information.
---
## 6. Bull Case If the 3‑year forecast of +10.4% materialises:
- Median house price could rise from $2,444,964 to ≈ $2,698,000 (10.4% uplift).
- Median unit price could rise from $1,061,738 to ≈ $1,172,000 (same percentage).
Capital growth of this magnitude would lift total asset values by roughly $250k‑$300k per typical property, delivering strong upside for owners who lock in today’s prices.
---
## 7. Risks | Risk | Quantified Concern | |------|--------------------| | Rate sensitivity | Gross yield of 2.6% leaves little margin if interest rates rise; higher borrowing costs could turn cash‑flow negative. | | Vacancy risk | Vacancy rate is not provided – an unexpected rise could further erode the thin yield. | | Supply pipeline | No data on upcoming developments; a surge in new units could increase competition and push rents down. | | Single‑employer dependency | No employment‑base data – if the local job market contracts, rental demand could weaken. |
---
## 8. The Play - Entry range: Target purchases near the median unit price of $1,060k–$1,100k or median house price of $2.4m–$2.5m, depending on asset class. - Minimum yield target: Aim for ≥ 3.0% gross yield to provide a buffer above the current 2.6% level. - Watch signals: 1. Changes in days on market (once data become available). 2. Emerging vacancy statistics. 3. Interest‑rate movements that affect borrowing costs. 4. Any announced new residential projects that could add supply.
Recommended strategy: Acquire a unit or house at current median prices, hold for 3‑5 years to capture the forecast 10.4% capital gain, and monitor rental market data closely. Prioritise properties with strong finishes and easy tenant appeal to mitigate potential vacancy risk while the yield improves through price appreciation.
Gentrification Index
Growth Forecast
low confidenceBasis: 5yr CAGR 5.6% + 10yr CAGR 7.4%
- +Low rental vacancy (1.6%) — constrained supply
- +Premium transport infrastructure — supports long-term capital growth
- −Population decline (-0.9%/yr) — demand headwind
- −High supply pipeline (6957 new approvals) — may cap price growth
Suburb Metric Thresholds
Macro Environment
Macro Indicators
Cash Rate
4.35%
▲ 0.25%Cash rate as at 2026-05-06 · Credit data 2026-03
Suburb Supply & Demand
Suburb Supply Pipeline — New Dwelling Approvals
753
2020
2,161
2021
1,184
2022
1,108
2023
1,751
2025
New dwelling approvals — higher numbers mean more future supply
Socio-Economic Profile
Source: ABS Census 2021SEIFA Index · Postcode 2010
Decile 8 of 10 — Low disadvantage
Population
26,443
Education (IEO)
10/10
Econ. Resources (IER)
1/10
10-Year Investment Projection
Modelled on Darlinghurst NSW data — rent, capital growth, tax, and depreciation over 10 years.
Pre-filled: $1225/wk median rent for Darlinghurst. Capital growth and rent increase are editable assumptions.
Schools
In your catchment
These are the government-school zones containing this suburb centroid. Specific addresses within the suburb may fall in different catchments — confirm with the school directly.
Nearby Suburbs
Analyse a Property in Darlinghurst
Get instant STR rules, granny flat feasibility, rental yield, and full investment strategy comparison for any address in Darlinghurst.
Analyse a Property →Data sourced from ABS, state government property sales, and Airbnb market analytics. For informational purposes only — not financial advice.