Whyalla SA Property Investment
Unincorporated SA · 5600 · Score: 53/100 · Hold
Whyalla Short-Term Rental (Airbnb) Market
Whyalla SA Investment Brief
HOLD — vacancy at 1.8% and $393/wk rent puts this in the top tier of SA yield suburbs.
THE MARKET
Whyalla has compounded at 0.4%/yr over 5 years — a house that cost $361,519 in 2021 is worth $368,807 today. Properties are sitting on market for 30 days (roughly balanced conditions). At the same growth rate, today's median reaches $376,242 by 2031.
- Median house: $368,807 | Units: $347,030
- Gross yield: 5.5% | Net yield: 4.0%
- 5yr price CAGR: 0.4%/yr | 3yr forecast: 13.5%/yr
- Population: 3,609 | Owner-occupier rate: 71% | Affluence: Above Average
- Supply pipeline: Low — Price growth outpacing new supply, limited development pipeline
RENTAL SNAPSHOT
- Vacancy: 1.8% (improving) | Rental demand: High
- Median weekly rent: $393/wk | Days on market: 30 (stable)
- Landlord market — rents likely to keep rising.
SHORT-TERM RENTAL
- Median nightly rate: $606/night | Occupancy: 42%
- Estimated annual STR gross: ~$92,881/yr
- vs long-term rent: $20,436/yr (+354% STR premium — factor in higher management costs)
INFRASTRUCTURE & CATALYSTS
- No major confirmed infrastructure projects on record.
- Transport: Standard suburban transport access
BULL CASE
If Whyalla maintains 3%+ annual growth and vacancy stays below 1.3%, median prices could reach $424,128 within 3 years with yields compressing slightly as capital values rise.
BEAR CASE
A market correction or interest rate shock could see prices in Whyalla pull back 10-15% from $368,807, with vacancy rising to 3.2% and rental yields softening as tenants gain leverage.
KEY RISKS
- Distance from CBD may limit long-term capital growth potential
COMPARABLE MARKETS
- Cummins (SA): $438,044 median, 2.1% yield, 11.4% 1yr growth
- Elliston (SA): $341,559 median, 3.0% yield, 20.4% 1yr growth
- Jamestown (SA): $378,681 median, 5.7% yield, -1.5% 1yr growth
THE PLAY
Whyalla offers balanced fundamentals but does not present an urgent buying signal. The market is in a recovery phase with low vacancy risk. Monitor vacancy trends and price movements over the next 6-12 months. Only enter if a property can be acquired at or below median pricing with yields exceeding 6.0%.
- Entry range: $331,926 – $405,688
- Minimum gross yield to target: 5.8%
- Watch signal: vacancy staying below 2% and days on market holding under 35
This analysis is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, or investment advice. Seek professional advice before making investment decisions.
Gentrification Index
Growth Forecast
high confidenceBasis: 5yr CAGR 0.4% + 10yr CAGR 2.7%
- +Low rental vacancy (1.8%) — constrained supply
- −Population decline (-0.2%/yr) — demand headwind
Suburb Metric Thresholds
Macro Environment
Macro Indicators
Cash Rate
4.35%
▲ 0.25%Cash rate as at 2026-05-06 · Credit data 2026-04
Suburb Supply & Demand
Suburb Supply Pipeline — New Dwelling Approvals
4
2020
4
2021
6
2022
5
2023
5
2025
New dwelling approvals — higher numbers mean more future supply
Socio-Economic Profile
Source: ABS Census 2021SEIFA Index · Postcode 5600
Decile 5 of 10 — Average
Population
6,150
Education (IEO)
4/10
Econ. Resources (IER)
3/10
10-Year Investment Projection
Modelled on Whyalla SA data — rent, capital growth, tax, and depreciation over 10 years.
Pre-filled: $393/wk median rent for Whyalla. Capital growth and rent increase are editable assumptions.
Nearby Suburbs
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Analyse a Property →Data sourced from ABS, state government property sales, and Airbnb market analytics. For informational purposes only — not financial advice.