Handle's suburb model scores 1,025 New South Wales suburbs every week. As at October 2026, 9 are rated Prime (roughly the top 10% of 3,393 suburbs nationally) and 116 Strong. Prime New South Wales suburbs have a median house price of $1,176,000, a 4.3% gross yield and 0.8% vacancy. The strongest regions right now are Newcastle and Lake Macquarie, Central West and Sydney, Outer West and Blue Mountains.
Highest-rated New South Wales suburbs with a profile on this site, as at October 2026. Ranked by Handle's model; we publish the band, not the score.
| Suburb | Region | Band | Median house | Gross yield | Vacancy | 12 months |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ashmont | Riverina | Prime | $575,000 | 4.5% | 1.11% | +22.3% |
| South Tamworth | New England and North West | Strong | $560,000 | 4.5% | 2.76% | +21.9% |
| Oxley Vale | New England and North West | Strong | $634,250 | 4.5% | 2.76% | +22.0% |
| Beresfield | Newcastle and Lake Macquarie | Strong | $795,000 | 4.1% | 1.78% | +19.6% |
| Cobar | Far West and Orana | Strong | $320,000 | 6.4% | 0.22% | +17.4% |
| West Bathurst | Central West | Strong | $651,251 | 4.5% | 1.54% | +13.3% |
| Deniliquin | Murray | Strong | $425,500 | 5.8% | 0.56% | +23.3% |
| Glenfield Park | Riverina | Strong | $690,000 | 4.2% | 1.11% | +12.8% |
| Woonona | Illawarra | Strong | $1,560,000 | 3.4% | 0.85% | +11.4% |
| Kooringal | Riverina | Strong | $675,000 | 4.3% | 1.11% | +14.4% |
| Tenambit | Hunter Valley exc Newcastle | Strong | $800,000 | 4.2% | 1.25% | +11.1% |
| Singleton Heights | Hunter Valley exc Newcastle | Strong | $775,000 | 4.6% | 1.51% | +16.5% |
| South Penrith | Sydney, Outer West and Blue Mountains | Strong | $1,150,000 | 3.2% | 1.62% | +10.6% |
| Mardi | Central Coast | Strong | $1,102,500 | 3.6% | 1.47% | +12.7% |
| Whitebridge | Newcastle and Lake Macquarie | Strong | $1,285,000 | 3.4% | 1.15% | +2.8% |
Strong or better, with a profile on this site.
| Suburb | Band | Yield | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Broken Hill | Strong | 7.5% | $250,200 |
| Grenfell | Strong | 6.8% | $385,000 |
| Cobar | Strong | 6.4% | $320,000 |
| Deniliquin | Strong | 5.8% | $425,500 |
| Lismore | Strong | 5.6% | $557,000 |
| South Grafton | Strong | 5.5% | $481,750 |
| East Lismore | Strong | 5.3% | $658,000 |
| Inverell | Strong | 5.0% | $515,000 |
Lowest vacancy, Strong or better.
| Suburb | Band | Vacancy | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cobar | Strong | 0.22% | $320,000 |
| East Lismore | Strong | 0.34% | $658,000 |
| Lismore | Strong | 0.34% | $557,000 |
| South Grafton | Strong | 0.44% | $481,750 |
| Balgownie | Strong | 0.47% | $1,425,000 |
| Blaxland | Strong | 0.49% | $1,215,000 |
| Deniliquin | Strong | 0.56% | $425,500 |
| Banora Point | Strong | 0.61% | $1,340,000 |
The highest yields are usually in small mining and outback towns. One employer or industry can move rents and values quickly there, so they carry more risk.
Regions ranked by Prime-rated suburbs. Medians across each region's Prime and Strong suburbs.
| Region | Prime | Prime + Strong | Median house | Gross yield | Vacancy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Newcastle and Lake Macquarie | 3 | 28 | $1,026,250 | 4.0% | 1.33% |
| Central West | 2 | 7 | $651,251 | 4.5% | 1.54% |
| Sydney, Outer West and Blue Mountains | 1 | 17 | $1,120,000 | 3.3% | 1.11% |
| Riverina | 1 | 7 | $615,000 | 4.5% | 1.11% |
| Sydney, Sutherland | 1 | 6 | $1,681,250 | 3.1% | 0.99% |
| Far West and Orana | 1 | 3 | $250,200 | 7.5% | 0.22% |
| Hunter Valley exc Newcastle | 0 | 12 | $798,750 | 4.2% | 1.47% |
| Illawarra | 0 | 10 | $1,147,500 | 3.5% | 0.95% |
| New England and North West | 0 | 7 | $520,000 | 4.8% | 0.84% |
| Central Coast | 0 | 7 | $975,000 | 4.0% | 1.47% |
As at October 2026, the highest-rated New South Wales suburbs in Handle's model include Ashmont, South Tamworth, Oxley Vale, Beresfield, Cobar, West Bathurst. 9 New South Wales suburbs are rated Prime and 116 Strong. The best suburb for you depends on your budget, borrowing and plan, and every property still has to pass our 29-check screen.
Among New South Wales suburbs rated Strong or better, the highest gross yields are in Broken Hill, Grenfell, Cobar, Deniliquin. The very highest yields are usually in small mining and outback towns, where one employer or industry can move rents and values quickly, so they carry more risk.
Vacancy is lowest in Cobar, East Lismore, Lismore, South Grafton, all at or under 0.44% as at October 2026. Below 1.5% is generally a tight rental market, which supports rents and shortens the time to find a tenant.
Our model scores 3,393 Australian suburbs on buyer demand, price growth, rental return and community fundamentals, refreshed weekly. We publish the band only: Prime is roughly the top 10%, Strong the next 20%, Watch the next 15%. A suburb rating is where we start, not where we stop.
Data as at 20 October 2026 from SuburbsFinder, ABS Census and public project sources, scored by Handle's suburb model. General information only, not financial advice. Past growth is not a guide to future growth.