We’re often told that the best property strategy is to buy a home, but that’s not right for everyone. Living in a unit has plenty of advantages: they’re cheaper to buy, there’s less maintenance and they’re normally built close to a special part of town.

Some property podcasts have been tipped apartments to outperform houses in 2026, making them even more desirable.

Cooks Hill

Close to some of Newcastle’s best beaches and the iconic Darby Street, buying a unit in Cooks Hill is a great way to live near some of the city’s best features. The historic townhouses do look nice, but they’re more expensive and, honestly, not much bigger than a standard apartment.

As of March 2026, the median unit price in Cooks Hill is $810,000, around half the price of a home. Rentals tend to go for $650, a figure that’s continually on the rise.

Median unit price: $810,000 (March 2026, realestate.com.au)
Median unit rental: $650 p/w (March 2026, realestate.com.au)

Wickham

Since the public transport switch – when the heavy rail line was cut and light rail was installed – Wickham has become the unofficial CBD of Newcastle. With the Interchange on your doorstep, an easy walk to Carrington and Honeysuckle, plus easy access to Hunter and King Streets, everything is easy to get to.

Apartment blocks in Wickham have popped up recently like mushrooms after rain and the average unit goes for less than $800k, almost $400k cheaper than a house in the same area. Investors may be interested to note that although the entry price is cheaper, and most units newer, rental income is higher in Wickham than Cooks Hill.

Median unit price: $777,500 (March 2026, realestate.com.au)
Median unit rental: $730 p/w (March 2026, realestate.com.au)

Adamstown

Adamstown is one of Newcastle’s best suburbs for families and recent zoning changes have seen a host of mini apartment blocks going up along Brunker Road. As well as its own little shopping street, you’re close to Westfield Kotara, Glenrock Reserve and the McDonald Jones Stadium. The public school in Adamstown is highly respected and it feeds into Kotara High which is one of the best in Newcastle.

At less than $750k in March 2026, units in Adamstown are the cheapest on the list so far. And again, they’re around $400k cheaper than a house on the same street.

Median unit price: $747,500 (March 2026, realestate.com.au)
Median unit rental: $625 p/w (March 2026, realestate.com.au)

Newcastle East

By far the most expensive suburb in this article, Newcastle East is in the midst of a huge transformation. The tired old mall is being ripped up, block by block, and being replaced with units, shops and even just a road surface more fitting for a city like Newy.

The new units have to been seen to be believed but demand to live in this revitalised suburb is growing rapidly. Within easy walking distance to Newcastle Beach, it’s a great spot to live.

Median unit price: $2,100,000 (March 2026, realestate.com.au)
Median unit rental: $898 p/w (March 2026, realestate.com.au)

Merewether

Normally one of the city’s most expensive places to buy, houses in Merewether are in the two million dollar club, nevermind the standard million dollar club.

However, units in Merewether are less than half the price of a house. In March 2026, we’re looking at $2.1m vs $900k. The draw to Merewether is obvious: the beach, the waves and the ocean baths. Its 2291 postcode has long been the envy of many and if you want a shortcut to joining this elite society, buying a unit might be the best option.

Median unit price: $935,000 (March 2026, realestate.com.au)
Median unit rental: $628 p/w (March 2026, realestate.com.au)

Getting a mortgage in Newcastle

Unless you’ve sold up and you’re buying with cash, you’ll need to take out a home loan to buy your dream unit. If you want help finding the best mortgage deal on the market, give our team a call on 02 4961 4985.