Ardeer vs Cairnlea
Ardeer (median $741,500) is roughly 11% cheaper to buy into than Cairnlea ($835,900).
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Ardeer and Cairnlea side by side
| Measure | Ardeer | Cairnlea |
|---|---|---|
| Price and market | ||
| Median house | $741,500 | $835,900 |
| Median unit | $600,000 | $427,500 |
| Renting | ||
| Owner occupied | 62.0% | 82.0% |
| Renter occupied | 34.0% | 15.0% |
| Schools | ||
| Schools nearby | 20 | 20 |
| Average ICSEA | 997 | 970 |
| Lifestyle and people | ||
| Walk score | 0 | 54 |
| Transit score | 0 | 0 |
| Bike score | 100 | 100 |
| Population | 3,170 | 10,038 |
| Median age | 37 | 36 |
| Climate | ||
| Annual rainfall | 503 mm | 510 mm |
| Mean max, January | 26.5°C | 26.7°C |
Green dot: better on that measure (lower price, higher growth, higher walkability, lower risk). Each suburb’s profile gives the source and period of its figures.
Which suits whom
Cairnlea scores higher on walkability (0/100 vs 54/100 ), useful if you're optimising for a car-light household. On school quality, the average ICSEA across schools serving Ardeer (997) sits above Cairnlea (970). Cairnlea skews owner-occupied (82%), Ardeer runs more rental-dense (62% owner).
- For buyers
- Ardeer is the lower entry point at $741,500 median, 11% below the other suburb. For first home buyers, that translates to a smaller deposit and lower stamp duty bill.
- For investors
- Rental or growth data is incomplete for one or both suburbs. Look at the full investor view on each suburb profile for a complete picture.
- For families
- Ardeer edges out on average school ICSEA (997 vs 970). Cairnlea also has a higher family-household share (87% vs 63%), so the catchment community skews family-heavy.
Ardeer vs Cairnlea: common questions
Is Ardeer or Cairnlea cheaper to buy in?
Ardeer has the lower median house price at $741,500, roughly 11% below Cairnlea ($835,900). The gap on units is usually similar but worth checking on the full suburb profiles.
Does Ardeer or Cairnlea have better schools?
On average school ICSEA (the ACARA index that benchmarks educational advantage), Ardeer scores 997 vs 970 in Cairnlea. ICSEA is a school-community indicator, not a quality rating, so always check NAPLAN results and catchment boundaries for the specific address you're considering.
Which is more walkable, Ardeer or Cairnlea?
Cairnlea scores 54/100 on walkability vs 0/100. Above 70 is considered very walkable (most errands on foot), 50-69 is walkable for some errands, below 50 typically requires a car for daily life.
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