Central Coast in demand for families and investors - but where are they buying?
The Central Coast’s median house price rose 6.7% over the year to February 2026, reaching $1,103,441 from $1,034,113, analysis of property price value in 47 suburbs across the region have shown.
“The Central Coast continues to show resilience,” said Michael Daniels, Central Coast mortgage broker at Mortgage Choice. “The overall median house price for the region rose by 6.7% over the last 12 months, climbing from $1,034,113 to $1,103,441.
“While some national headlines talk about a cooling market, the Central Coast remains a primary choice for families and investors seeking a balance of lifestyle and value.”
According to Daniels (pictured right), the latest figures reinforced the importance of suburb-level assessment when advising borrowers and buyers.
“As a Central Coast local, I know that our property market is more than just a collection of statistics – it’s where our community lives, grows, and invests,” the Erina-based broker said. “However, when you are making the biggest financial decision of your life, having access to hyper-local data is essential.
“We’ve seen some extraordinary hotspots where demand has far outpaced supply. If you own a home in these areas, your equity has likely seen a significant boost.”
East Gosford was the clear standout with a staggering 29.01% increase, bringing the median price to over $1.2 million. Suburbs Tumbi Umbi and Niagara Park both saw growth of over 13%, proving that established family-friendly pockets are in high demand. Northern suburbs like Gorokan and Mannering Park also broke the 13% growth barrier, representing excellent entry points that are rapidly appreciating.
Meanwhile, high-end suburbs like Avoca Beach ($1,745,000) and Wamberal ($1,788,500) continue to command premium prices with healthy 6-7% growth. There was, however, a slight “correction” or plateauing in some coastal pockets, such as Copacabana and Terrigal.
“For buyers, this ‘sideways’ movement in premium suburbs can actually represent a window of opportunity to enter a prestigious area without the bidding wars seen in previous years,” Daniels said.
“For homeowners, with an average equity gain of over $69,000 across the region this year, you might have more borrowing power than you realise. This could be the ideal time to look at refinancing to a more competitive rate, accessing equity for renovations, or investing in a secondary property while market conditions are stable.
“For first-home buyers, while the median price is rising, the data shows a wide spread. Suburbs like San Remo ($792,000) and Budgewoi ($800,000) still offer great value under the $850,000 mark. Understanding these micro-markets is the key to getting your foot in the door.
“Many national brokerage chains look at the Central Coast as just another ‘regional market’. But as the data show, what happens in East Gosford is vastly different from what happens in Bensville.”
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