All Suburbs

Darlington

NSW 2008LGA: City of Sydney

Investment Score

78

/100

AI Intelligence Summary

Darlington is a unique inner-city suburb located just 3km south of Sydney CBD, characterized by its institutional nature as home to the University of Sydney's main campus. With a population of approximately 2,800, the suburb is dominated by students, academics, and young professionals, creating a transient but vibrant community. The property market is heavily influenced by university proximity, with limited residential stock consisting mainly of apartments and converted terraces that command strong rental yields due to consistent student demand. While traditional retail amenities are limited within the suburb itself, residents benefit from excellent connectivity to nearby Newtown and Redfern for entertainment and dining. The area offers exceptional public transport access with Redfern Station nearby and multiple bus routes to the CBD. Future infrastructure developments, including potential Sydney Metro West connections, position Darlington for continued growth. The suburb's academic atmosphere, cultural diversity from international students, and proximity to Sydney Park create a distinctive urban village feel. Investment prospects remain strong due to the stability of the education sector and ongoing university expansion plans.

Strengths

  • Prime location 3km from Sydney CBD
  • University of Sydney campus provides stable rental demand
  • Excellent public transport connectivity
  • Strong rental yields from student accommodation

Opportunities

  • University expansion and infrastructure upgrades
  • Potential Sydney Metro West connectivity improvements
  • Growing international student market
  • Gentrification spillover from neighboring suburbs

Considerations

  • Limited traditional retail and dining options within suburb
  • High proportion of transient student population
  • Limited residential housing stock
  • Competition from purpose-built student accommodation

Property Market

Median House

$1.65M

+8.5% 1yr

Median Unit

$850K

+6.8% 1yr

Median Townhouse

$1.20M

Rent (House)

$1,350/wk

Rent (Unit)

$950/wk

Days on Market

25

Vacancy Rate

1.2%

Auction Clearance

78.0%

Price Growth

Type1 Year3 Year5 Year
House+8.5%+18.2%+35.8%
Unit+6.8%+15.5%+28.9%

Rental Yields

House Yield

4.2%

Unit Yield

5.8%

Townhouse Yield

4.8%

Investment Scorecard

Overall Investment Score78/100
Growth Potential75/100
Cashflow Score82/100
Risk Score (lower = safer)75/100
Affordability Index45/100

Demand/Supply Ratio: 2.10

Demand exceeds supply — favourable for sellers

Tax & Financial Intelligence

CPA-grade analysis for Darlington at median house price

Standard transfer
$73,140
First Home Buyer
$73,140
Foreign buyer surcharge
$132,000

+8% surcharge

Annual rent income
$70,200

$1350/wk

Interest (80% LVR @ 6.5%)
-$85,800
Other expenses (~2.5%)
-$41,250
Net rental position
-$56,850

Negatively geared

Tax benefit (39% MTR)
+$22,172

Reduces taxable income

After-tax holding cost
$34,679/yr

~$667/week

Based on 7.2% p.a. growth (from 5-year trend), 50% CGT discount, 39% MTR

5-Year Hold

Est. value
$2.33M
Capital gain
$600,175
After discount
$300,087
CGT payable
$117,034

10-Year Hold

Est. value
$3.29M
Capital gain
$1.56M
After discount
$781,636
CGT payable
$304,838

Investor Quick Summary

Entry cost (stamp duty)

$73,140

After-tax yield

2.56%

Weekly holding cost

$667/wk

10yr CGT (est.)

$304,838

Estimates based on FY2025 NSW rates at median house price. Assumes 80% LVR, 6.5% interest rate, 39% marginal tax rate ($135K-$190K bracket). Individual circumstances vary. This is general information only and not personal financial advice. Consult your CPA before making investment decisions. Local Knowledge Pty Ltd — Registered Tax Agent.

Demographics

Population

2,800

Median Age

24

Median Income

$35K

per annum

Family Households

25.0%

Professionals

45.0%

University Educated

65.0%

Unemployment

8.5%

Born Overseas

48.0%

Dwelling Mix

Houses: 25%Units: 65%Townhouses: 10%Total: 1,200

Lifestyle & Community

Walkability85/100
Public Transport9/10
Schools Rating9/10
Safety8/10
Family Friendly6/10
Cafes & Restaurants

8

Parks

4

Hospitals

2

Distance to CBD

3.0 km

Nearest Station: Redfern Station

University-focused lifestyle with access to academic facilities, cultural events, and proximity to vibrant neighboring precincts

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Data sourced from multiple sources. Last updated 27 March 2026.

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