By Paul Palella – Director, Brisbane Buyers’ Agency
Just 8km east of Brisbane’s CBD, Carina is a suburb that quietly balances family appeal with investor interest. Its streets are lined with traditional post-war homes on generous blocks, alongside newer builds that have begun to reshape the area’s profile. The question for investors is simple: does Carina deliver the kind of rental income and tenant stability that makes it a smart choice?
Entry-Level Carina
Entry-level homes in Carina are typically three bedrooms, one bathroom, and sit on blocks of around 600m². Between 2020 and 2025, these properties have climbed in value to a current median sale price of approximately $1.29M. On the rental side, similar homes are achieving a median rent of around $665 per week, which translates to an indicative gross yield of 2.7%. This figure sits at the lower end of the yield spectrum, particularly in today’s interest rate environment, meaning Carina is not a suburb you buy into purely for cash flow.
Recent Sales and Rental Evidence
|
Address |
Beds |
Bath |
Land (m²) |
Sale Price |
Sale Date |
|
12 Booligal St |
3 |
1 |
600 |
$1,488,888 |
May 2025 |
|
53 Macalister St |
3 |
1 |
630 |
$1,400,000 |
Jun 2025 |
|
8 Dalrello St |
3 |
1 |
636 |
$1,320,000 |
May 2025 |
|
14 Buckley St |
3 |
1 |
607 |
$1,305,000 |
May 2025 |
|
30 Malthus St |
3 |
1 |
627 |
$1,280,000 |
Mar 2025 |
|
Median (2025) |
3 |
1 |
~600 |
$1.29M |
|
Address |
Beds |
Bath |
Weekly Rent |
Date Leased |
Days on Market |
|
214 Gallipoli Rd |
3 |
1 |
$780 |
Jul 2025 |
21 |
|
75 Hecklemann St |
3 |
1 |
$700 |
Jul 2025 |
15 |
|
148 Willard St |
3 |
1 |
$620 |
Aug 2025 |
5 |
|
16 Malthus St |
3 |
1 |
$670 |
Jul 2025 |
19 |
|
29 Malthus St |
3 |
1 |
$640 |
Jul 2025 |
18 |
|
Median (2025) |
3 |
1 |
$665 |
18 days |
Rental Environment and Tenant Demand
While the yield story isn’t especially strong, the rental environment is remarkably healthy. Properties are leasing within an average of 18 days, reflecting solid tenant demand. About one-third of dwellings in Carina are rented, which is close to the Brisbane average. That ratio ensures a steady pool of tenants without tipping the market into oversupply. The majority of rentals are family homes, aligning neatly with the suburb’s strong demographic of long-term renters who value stability.
Schools, Catchments and Lifestyle
Carina’s family appeal is reinforced by its education options. Within the suburb itself, families look to Carina State School and Mayfield State School, while secondary students are typically zoned to Whites Hill State College. In addition, respected private schools such as St Martin’s Catholic Primary School and San Sisto College are located in the heart of Carina. Easy access to Westfield Carindale, local parks, and bus routes along Old Cleveland Road make the suburb particularly convenient for families. And with the CBD only 8km away, it is a location that suits both city workers and lifestyle-focused tenants.
Investment Outlook
Carina is not the place to chase high yields. Instead, it is a suburb where investors can expect stability, low vacancy risk, and long-term growth potential. The combination of tenant demand, established infrastructure, school catchments and proximity to the CBD underpin its resilience. For investors who are prepared to accept a modest rental yield in exchange for these fundamentals, Carina can be considered a smart addition to a growth-focused portfolio.
Our Take (Strategy Lens)
At Brisbane Buyers’ Agency, we’d position Carina as a growth-leaning, family-tenant market. For clients comfortable with a lower gross yield in exchange for location quality, low vacancy risk, and strong long-term fundamentals, Carina stacks up. If you need the asset to carry itself from day one, we’d model other product types or adjacent suburbs with stronger income.
Keen to see how Carina compares to your borrowing power and goals? Let’s build a Buying Brief and run suburb-by-suburb income vs growth scenarios tailored to you.
Data disclaimer: Sale prices, rental yields, and median values have been sourced and calculated using figures from CoreLogic RP Data (2020–2025). Always consult your financial advisor or property strategist for personalised investment advice.