Research only. Not financial advice. Data: Q1 2025 indicative estimates from public sources. Verify independently.
Broken Hill offers a materially higher gross yield (6.7% vs 4.5%), making it the stronger income candidate at current prices. Broken Hill achieves positive cashflow without negative gearing support, while Cairns requires additional tax offset or rental growth to break even.
Research context only. Not financial advice. Both markets carry distinct risks specific to their location, employment base, and economic profile. Read the individual suburb research pages before drawing conclusions. All policy references reflect proposed changes subject to final legislation.
| Metric | Broken Hill NSW · #5 | Cairns QLD · #29 |
|---|---|---|
| Gross Yield | 6.7% | 4.5% |
| Vacancy Rate | 1% | 1.1% |
| Median Price | $235k | $613k |
| Weekly Rent | $300/wk | $525/wk |
| Net pre-costs pa | +$3,380 | $-4,550 |
| Cashflow | Positive | Slightly-Negative |
| Rent Growth 12m | +5.5% | +6.8% |
| Price Growth 12m | +6% | +9.4% |
| NG Dependence | None | Medium |
| Discovery Status | Unknown | Known |
| Population | 18k | 160k |
| Cycle Stage | Early | Early-Mid |
| Policy Impact | ▲ STRONG UPGRADE | ◆ NEUTRAL |
| Signal Score | 70 / Tier 1 | 52 / Tier 2 |
6.7% yield at $235k, the highest yield-to-price ratio in the scan. The Far West NSW REZ (2.3GW) is creating permanent construction and operational jobs in a town that was in structural decline. Cashflow positive by $3,380/year. Discovery status 'Unknown': no institutional awareness of the REZ catalyst yet.
Cairns is Australia's gateway to the Great Barrier Reef — a major international tourism hub with Cairns Airport as a primary employer alongside healthcare (Cairns Hospital) and government services. Residential rental demand is underpinned by permanent resident workers, not purely tourism workers. At $612,500 and $525/wk, cashflow is slightly negative at standard LVR. Vacancy at 1.1% is tight. Note: broader Cairns LGA median house prices are materially higher than the Cairns City suburb figure used here.
CoreLogic NSW Q1 2025 · REINSW Broken Hill Q4 2024 · SQM Research postcode 2880 · NSW Government Far West REZ project register 2024 · AGL/Transgrid REZ development update · BHP Broken Hill operations data
Data vintage: Q1 2025
realestate.com.au Cairns City suburb median, Jun 2025–May 2026. Verify against REIQ for wider LGA. Data quality: imported.
Data vintage: 2026
The interactive tool lets you add up to 4 suburbs for a full side-by-side breakdown with score components.
Research only. Not financial advice. Data vintage Q1 2025 (indicative estimates from public sources). Verify all metrics independently with local property managers and licensed advisers before making any investment decision. All negative gearing and budget policy references reflect proposed changes subject to final legislation. Consult a registered tax adviser for personal tax position.