Research only. Not financial advice. Data: Q1 2025 indicative estimates from public sources. Verify independently.
Emerald offers a materially higher gross yield (6.1% vs 4.4%), making it the stronger income candidate at current prices. Emerald achieves positive cashflow without negative gearing support, while Townsville requires additional tax offset or rental growth to break even. Vacancy conditions favour Emerald (0.7% vs 1.2%), indicating tighter rental demand relative to supply.
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 | Emerald QLD · #2 | Townsville QLD · #16 |
|---|---|---|
| Gross Yield | 6.1% | 4.4% |
| Vacancy Rate | 0.7% | 1.2% |
| Median Price | $390k | $595k |
| Weekly Rent | $460/wk | $500/wk |
| Net pre-costs pa | +$3,640 | $-4,940 |
| Cashflow | Positive | Slightly-Negative |
| Rent Growth 12m | +6% | +7.8% |
| Price Growth 12m | +4.5% | +10.4% |
| NG Dependence | None | Medium |
| Discovery Status | Unknown | Emerging |
| Population | 14k | 180k |
| Cycle Stage | Early | Early-Mid |
| Policy Impact | ▲ STRONG UPGRADE | ◆ NEUTRAL |
| Signal Score | 73 / Tier 1 | 57 / Tier 2 |
Tightest vacancy in the scan at 0.7% (effectively full). 6.1% yield at $390k is genuinely positive cashflow. Emerald sits at the intersection of coking coal and agriculture, giving it more diversification than a pure mining town. Discovery status 'Unknown': no institutional attention yet.
Townsville is North Queensland's largest city and a significant ADF hub — Lavarack Barracks (Army) and RAAF Base Townsville. James Cook University and Townsville University Hospital underpin stable public-sector employment. The market has recovered materially from its 2015–2019 downturn. At $595k and $500/wk, cashflow is slightly negative at standard LVR — not the positive-cashflow market it was two years ago, but yield of 4.4% remains competitive for a city of this scale.
CoreLogic QLD Q1 2025 · REIQ Emerald Q4 2024 · SQM Research Central Highlands · ABS agricultural census water allocation 2024 · Central Highlands Regional Council planning data
Data vintage: Q1 2025
REIQ/PropTrack 2025 region estimate. Verify against current REIQ data before publishing. Data quality: imported.
Data vintage: 2026
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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.