Hamilton Valley vs Swan Bay

Houses cost about the same in both suburbs: the median house price is $670K in Hamilton Valley and $670K in Swan Bay.

Over the past year house prices moved +11.3% in Hamilton Valley (an estimate) and +10.3% in Swan Bay, so recent momentum favours Hamilton Valley, although both suburbs recorded growth.

Rental vacancy is 1.5% in Swan Bay and 2.4% in Hamilton Valley, so landlords in Swan Bay face less competition for tenants. Anything under 2% is generally read as a tight market where tenants compete for homes.

Hamilton Valley is the bigger suburb, with a population of 834 against 357, roughly 2.3 times the size of Swan Bay; a larger suburb usually means a deeper pool of buyers and tenants.

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