Guide
Best suburbs to invest in Townsville: 5 affordable picks for 2026
Five suburbs in Townsville where a typical house costs less than the local median of $700,000 and the rent gives one of the higher yields in the area. A shortlist to research, not a list to buy from.
By Mossy Taheri, licensed buyer’s agent · Updated
The short answer
Five affordable suburbs to research in Townsville: Heatley, Vincent, Rasmussen, Balgal Beach, Gulliver. Each has a typical house price under $700,000. Rasmussen has had the strongest growth, about 19.1% a year over five years, and Heatley has the highest gross yield, about 4.3%.
The five suburbs at a glance
Houses, all bedroom sizes, to 31 October 2026. Growth figures are average yearly changes.
| Suburb | Typical house price | Weekly rent | Gross yield | Price growth (5 yrs, a year) | Rent growth (3 yrs, a year) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Heatley inner western Townsville | $681,488 | $558 | 4.3% | 18.8% | 9.6% |
| Vincent inner western Townsville | $638,989 | $521 | 4.2% | 18.7% | 8.4% |
| Rasmussen south-western Townsville | $673,426 | $549 | 4.2% | 19.1% | 11.8% |
| Balgal Beach northern beaches, about 60 km from the city | $662,642 | $510 | 4.0% | 14.8% | 8.5% |
| Gulliver inner western Townsville | $689,596 | $529 | 4.0% | 17.6% | 8.3% |
Each suburb in brief
1. Heatley, inner western Townsville
An established suburb with the highest yield on this list and very strong growth. After three years of exceptional rises, check how much is left in the cycle.
Typical house price $681,488, rent about $558 a week (a gross yield of 4.3%). Prices grew about 18.8% a year over five years and 10.5% a year over ten; rents grew about 9.6% a year over three years.
2. Vincent, inner western Townsville
Next to Heatley, with mostly older homes. Prices have grown much faster than rents, so the yield has fallen.
Typical house price $638,989, rent about $521 a week (a gross yield of 4.2%). Prices grew about 18.7% a year over five years and 10.2% a year over ten; rents grew about 8.4% a year over three years.
3. Rasmussen, south-western Townsville
Near the Ross River, with rents up about 12% a year over three years. The 2019 floods affected suburbs along the river, so check the flood map for the street.
Typical house price $673,426, rent about $549 a week (a gross yield of 4.2%). Prices grew about 19.1% a year over five years and 9.3% a year over ten; rents grew about 11.8% a year over three years.
4. Balgal Beach, northern beaches, about 60 km from the city
A small beach town in Townsville's council area. It has few sales, so it can take longer to sell, and it's a long drive to the city's jobs.
Typical house price $662,642, rent about $510 a week (a gross yield of 4.0%). Prices grew about 14.8% a year over five years and 9.0% a year over ten; rents grew about 8.5% a year over three years.
5. Gulliver, inner western Townsville
Close to Aitkenvale's shops, with rents up about 8% a year over three years.
Typical house price $689,596, rent about $529 a week (a gross yield of 4.0%). Prices grew about 17.6% a year over five years and 9.8% a year over ten; rents grew about 8.3% a year over three years.
How we chose them
- Affordable: a typical house price below the median for Townsville, $700,000 (REIQ, median house sale price, June quarter 2026).
- Reliable: only suburbs with enough sales and rentals to give dependable figures.
- Ranked on gross rental yield, then checked for price and rent growth so a high yield isn't simply a sign of falling values. 5 suburbs passed the first filters.
- Covers Townsville itself. Smaller towns elsewhere in the state are on the regional list.
This is a shortlist for research, not a recommendation to buy in any of these suburbs. Past growth doesn’t predict future growth, and figures for a whole suburb hide big differences between streets and properties. General information only, not personal financial advice.
Before you buy in any of them
- Check the council's flood, bushfire and planning overlays for the street, not just the suburb.
- Look at the vacancy rate and how many rentals are listed, so you know tenants are there.
- Find out what's being built nearby: new estates and apartment blocks add supply and can slow growth.
- Get a building and pest inspection; many affordable suburbs have older homes.
- Run the numbers on the property itself, including interest, rates, insurance and management.
Our rental yield calculator and cash flow calculator help with the last step. For buying costs, see stamp duty.
- Townsville market guide 2026
- Buyers agent Townsville
- Best suburbs to invest in regional Queensland
- Best suburbs to invest in Australia: every list
- All locations
Cite this page: Rising Returns, “Best Suburbs to Invest in Townsville 2026: Top 5”, data to 31 October 2026, https://risingreturns.com.au/best-suburbs-to-invest-townsville/
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Book a free discovery callInvesting in Townsville: common questions
What are the best affordable suburbs to invest in Townsville?
On our analysis of suburb data to 31 October 2026, our five picks are Heatley, Vincent, Rasmussen, Balgal Beach and Gulliver. Each has a typical house price below $700,000, enough sales to give reliable figures, and one of the higher rental yields in the area. They are a starting point for research, not a recommendation to buy in any of them.
What does affordable mean on this list?
A typical house price below the median for Townsville, $700,000 (REIQ, median house sale price, June quarter 2026). It is relative: an affordable suburb in Sydney still costs more than most regional towns.
Does past growth mean these suburbs will keep growing?
No. Growth figures show what has happened, not what will. Strong recent growth can mean a suburb has already had its run. Look at supply, jobs, infrastructure and vacancy rates as well, and check the individual property and street.
Why does the list only cover houses?
Houses usually hold more land value, which tends to drive long-term growth, and house data is more consistent between suburbs. Units and townhouses can suit some budgets and goals, but they need a separate comparison.
General information only. It doesn’t consider your personal circumstances and isn’t financial, tax, credit or legal advice. Speak to a licensed professional before you act.