Coolbellup vs Forrestdale

Houses cost about the same in both suburbs: the median house price is $970K in Coolbellup and $970K in Forrestdale.

For units, Coolbellup sits at a median of $650K against $510K in Forrestdale, which makes Forrestdale the more affordable unit market and Coolbellup the pricier one.

Gross rental yield on houses is effectively level, at 3.90% in Coolbellup and 3.90% in Forrestdale, so neither suburb has a cash flow edge on houses.

Over the past year house prices moved +16.4% in Coolbellup and +20.9% in Forrestdale (an estimate), so recent momentum favours Forrestdale, although both suburbs recorded growth.

Rental vacancy is 1.0% in Coolbellup and 1.3% in Forrestdale, so landlords in Coolbellup face less competition for tenants. Anything under 2% is generally read as a tight market where tenants compete for homes.

Coolbellup is the bigger suburb, with a population of 5,698 against 1,027, roughly 6 times the size of Forrestdale; a larger suburb usually means a deeper pool of buyers and tenants.

In short: Forrestdale for recent price momentum, Coolbellup for the tighter rental market. Which matters more depends on whether the investor is buying for cash flow, capital growth or affordability.