Karratha WA Property Investment
Karratha · 6714 · Score: 54/100 · Hold
Karratha Short-Term Rental (Airbnb) Market
Karratha WA Investment Brief
HOLD — 5.5% gross yield on a $589,759 median.
THE MARKET
Median house price in Karratha sits at $589,759 with 45 days on market and a 3.0% vacancy rate. This is a tenant-favourable market right now.
- Median house: $589,759 | Units: $557,587
- Gross yield: 5.5% | Net yield: 4.0%
- 5yr price CAGR: -1.6%/yr | 3yr forecast: 13.5%/yr
- Population: 98 | Owner-occupier rate: 32% | Affluence: High
- Supply pipeline: Low — Price growth outpacing new supply, limited development pipeline
RENTAL SNAPSHOT
- Vacancy: 3.0% (stable) | Rental demand: Moderate
- Median weekly rent: $620/wk | Days on market: 45 (stable)
- Tenant market — vacancy elevated, negotiate hard on rent.
SHORT-TERM RENTAL
- Median nightly rate: $385/night | Occupancy: 15%
- Estimated annual STR gross: ~$21,015/yr
- vs long-term rent: $32,240/yr (comparable — LTR offers simpler management)
INFRASTRUCTURE & CATALYSTS
- No major confirmed infrastructure projects on record.
- Transport: Standard suburban transport access
BULL CASE
If Karratha maintains 3%+ annual growth and vacancy stays below 2.1%, median prices could reach $678,223 within 3 years with yields compressing slightly as capital values rise.
BEAR CASE
A market correction or interest rate shock could see prices in Karratha pull back 10-15% from $589,759, with vacancy rising to 5.0% and rental yields softening as tenants gain leverage.
KEY RISKS
- Distance from CBD may limit long-term capital growth potential
COMPARABLE MARKETS
- Esperance (WA): $558,387 median, 4.5% yield, 22.0% 1yr growth
- Halls Creek (WA): $550,000 median, 0.8% yield, 20.9% 1yr growth
- Badgingarra (WA): $450,000 median, 2.3% yield, 14.0% 1yr growth
THE PLAY
Karratha offers balanced fundamentals but does not present an urgent buying signal. The market is in a stable phase with moderate 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: $530,783 – $648,735
- Minimum gross yield to target: 5.8%
- Watch signal: vacancy dropping below 2% and days on market falling below 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
medium confidenceBasis: 3yr growth 9.6% (discounted)
- −High supply pipeline (456 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 2026-04
Suburb Supply & Demand
Suburb Supply Pipeline — New Dwelling Approvals
23
2020
139
2021
101
2022
133
2023
60
2025
New dwelling approvals — higher numbers mean more future supply
Socio-Economic Profile
Source: ABS Census 2021SEIFA Index · Postcode 6714
Decile 9 of 10 — Low disadvantage
Population
17,657
Education (IEO)
5/10
Econ. Resources (IER)
7/10
10-Year Investment Projection
Modelled on Karratha WA data — rent, capital growth, tax, and depreciation over 10 years.
Pre-filled: $620/wk median rent for Karratha. Capital growth and rent increase are editable assumptions.
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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.