City Guide · Wollongong, NSW
The best suburbs to rent in Wollongong.
Wollongong's coastline defines the rental market here — beachside suburbs at a premium, quieter waterway pockets further out, and a lifestyle renters actively choose over the capital's pace. 22 suburbs, real 2021 ABS Census data behind every figure.
- Population
- 313.8k
- Median weekly rent
- $414
- Renters
- 29.0%
- Suburbs
- 22
ABS 2021 Census
What the data shows about renting in Wollongong
Cafés
A steady run of local cafés along the main strip makes weekend mornings easy — coffee, brunch and a slow start within a short walk of most streets.
Nightlife
A handful of reliable local bars and a late-night food strip give Wollongong more after-dark options than most people expect.
Heritage
Heritage-listed buildings along the main street give Wollongong a distinct architectural character you won't find in the newer suburbs nearby.
Fitness & Outdoors
An active local culture shows up early — running groups, outdoor bootcamps and a steady stream of cyclists on the main roads at sunrise.
Arts & Culture
Street art and small independent galleries give Wollongong more creative character than its size would suggest.
Beach & Coast
A coastal walking track links Wollongong to neighbouring beaches, a genuine weekend ritual for locals.
Suburbs in Wollongong
Albion Park - Macquarie Pass
Albion Park - Macquarie Pass — median rent $480/wk, 18.2% renters, population 19,026.
Albion Park Rail
Albion Park Rail — median rent $390/wk, 26.5% renters, population 6,920.
Balgownie - Fairy Meadow
Balgownie - Fairy Meadow — median rent $380/wk, 31.3% renters, population 21,519.
Berkeley - Lake Heights - Cringila
Berkeley - Lake Heights - Cringila — median rent $350/wk, 33.5% renters, population 14,200.
Corrimal - Tarrawanna - Bellambi
Corrimal - Tarrawanna - Bellambi — median rent $330/wk, 38.5% renters, population 16,041.
Dapto - Avondale
Dapto - Avondale — median rent $390/wk, 23.7% renters, population 24,195.
Figtree - Keiraville
Figtree - Keiraville — median rent $410/wk, 24.5% renters, population 22,773.
Helensburgh
Helensburgh — median rent $530/wk, 15.1% renters, population 9,135.
Horsley - Kembla Grange
Horsley - Kembla Grange — median rent $500/wk, 16.5% renters, population 12,155.
Kiama
Kiama — median rent $480/wk, 21.5% renters, population 8,786.
Kiama Downs - Minnamurra
Kiama Downs - Minnamurra — median rent $490/wk, 13.4% renters, population 6,063.
Kiama Hinterland - Gerringong
Kiama Hinterland - Gerringong — median rent $500/wk, 16.5% renters, population 8,136.
Port Kembla - Warrawong
Port Kembla - Warrawong — median rent $300/wk, 40.3% renters, population 9,740.
Shellharbour - Flinders
Shellharbour - Flinders — median rent $510/wk, 23.8% renters, population 19,341.
Shellharbour - Oak Flats
Shellharbour - Oak Flats — median rent $425/wk, 26.3% renters, population 10,590.
Thirroul - Austinmer - Coalcliff
Thirroul - Austinmer - Coalcliff — median rent $550/wk, 18.5% renters, population 11,957.
Unanderra - Mount Kembla
Unanderra - Mount Kembla — median rent $355/wk, 23.5% renters, population 15,280.
Warilla
Warilla — median rent $350/wk, 36.4% renters, population 20,397.
Windang - Primbee
Windang - Primbee — median rent $345/wk, 24.6% renters, population 4,239.
Wollongong - East
Wollongong - East — median rent $410/wk, 54.2% renters, population 16,020.
Wollongong - West
Wollongong - West — median rent $380/wk, 46.4% renters, population 16,551.
Woonona - Bulli - Russell Vale
Woonona - Bulli - Russell Vale — median rent $390/wk, 23.3% renters, population 20,761.
Wollongong rental FAQs
Real questions renters ask about Wollongong as a whole.
Where is it cheapest to rent in Wollongong?
Rent varies meaningfully across Wollongong's 22 suburbs — the outer and growth-corridor areas consistently come in well under the Wollongong-wide median of $414/week, while the inner and lifestyle-premium pockets sit well above it.
Is Wollongong a good place to rent?
It depends heavily on which part of Wollongong — that's the whole premise of comparing at the suburb level rather than the city level. Wollongong spans a wide range of price points and lifestyles across its 22 profiled suburbs, from 29.0% renter-share inner areas to quieter, more owner-occupied outer suburbs.
What's the median rent in Wollongong?
$414 a week, population-weighted across all 22 profiled Wollongong suburbs (2021 Census).
How many suburbs does Suburb Hunt cover in Wollongong?
22 real Wollongong SA2 suburbs, from the centre to the outer growth areas — every one with a population of 50 or more, sourced from the 2021 ABS Census.
Not sure which Wollongong suburb fits you?
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