Back to results

Lightning Ridge vs St Arnaud — which is best for growth?

Same eight metrics, scored against the same benchmark, ranked against a $300kbudget. Look for where one suburb is materially ahead — that's the dimension that should sway your call.

  1. Lightning Ridge

    NSW · 2834
    33Below trend
    Median
    $35k
    5y growth
    5.0%/yr
    YieldThin market · ~2k residents

  2. St Arnaud

    VIC · 3478
    30Below trend
    Median
    $200k
    5y growth
    2.7%/yr
    YieldThin market · ~2k residents

Metric breakdown

Each row scores 0–100 against a fixed benchmark. The leader on each row is highlighted.

Metric · weight
Lightning Ridge
St Arnaud
Capital growth (5y)
weight 22%
505.0%/yr
272.7%/yr
Rental yield
weight 13%
10029.7%
984.9%
Rental demand
weight 10%
352.6%
402.4%
Population growth
weight 12%
656.5%
787.8%
Income growth
weight 12%
5213.0%
5213.0%
Construction pipeline
weight 15%
0–
0–
Affordability
weight 8%
8888% under cap
3333% under cap
Supply tightening
weight 8%
20+6.0% YoY
25+5.0% YoY

Winner per dimension

Where each suburb leads the field, with the count of dimensions won.

  1. Lightning Ridge

    3/8
    • Capital growth (5y)
    • Rental yield
    • Affordability

  2. St Arnaud

    3/8
    • Rental demand
    • Population growth
    • Supply tightening

Why Lightning Ridge

Thin market · ~2k residents

29.7% gross yield, 88% under your cap.

Drivers
  • Rental yield29.7%
  • Budget headroom88% under cap
  • Population growth+6.5% (5y)
Risks
  • Only 1,946 residents — illiquid, slow to sell
  • Listings up 6.0% YoY — supply easing

Construction ·Sydney Metro — Western Sydney Airport559.2 kmConstruction · 2026

Why St Arnaud

Thin market · ~2k residents

4.9% gross yield, population +7.8% (5y).

Drivers
  • Rental yield4.9%
  • Population growth+7.8% (5y)
Risks
  • Only 2,318 residents — illiquid, slow to sell
  • Modest 5y growth (2.7%/yr)

Construction ·Melbourne Airport Rail — Sunshine Hub190.5 kmApproved · 2033