Side by sideSuburb comparison

Avondale Heights vs Essendon West.

Comparing two suburbs with median house prices of $990,000 and $1,581,300. Avondale Heights edges out on more headline metrics in this comparison.

Avondale Heights (median $990,000) is roughly 37% cheaper to buy into than Essendon West ($1,581,300).

Avondale Heights scores higher on walkability (32/100 vs 2/100 ), useful if you're optimising for a car-light household. On school quality, the average ICSEA across schools serving Essendon West (1083) sits above Avondale Heights (1038).

The takeWhich suburb suits which buyer

For buyers

Avondale Heights is the lower entry point at $990,000 median, 37% below the other suburb. For first home buyers, that translates to a smaller deposit and lower stamp duty bill.

For investors

Avondale Heights offers the higher gross rental yield (3.05% vs 1.27%), favouring cash-flow investors.

For families

Essendon West edges out on average school ICSEA (1083 vs 1038).

Common questionsAvondale Heights vs Essendon West

Common questions

Is Avondale Heights or Essendon West cheaper to buy in?

Avondale Heights has the lower median house price at $990,000, roughly 37% below Essendon West ($1,581,300). The gap on units is usually similar but worth checking on the full suburb profiles.

Does Avondale Heights or Essendon West have better schools?

On average school ICSEA (the ACARA index that benchmarks educational advantage), Essendon West scores 1083 vs 1038 in Avondale Heights. 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, Avondale Heights or Essendon West?

Avondale Heights scores 32/100 on walkability vs 2/100. 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.

Which suburb has higher rental yield, Avondale Heights or Essendon West?

Gross rental yield on houses is 3.05% in Avondale Heights vs 1.27% in Essendon West. Gross yield equals annual rent divided by purchase price. Net yield (after strata, rates, insurance, agent fees and maintenance) typically runs 1.5-2 percentage points lower.

The numbers behind the take

Avondale Heights
Metric
Essendon West

Price & Market

$990,000
Median house
$1,581,300
$773,500
Median unit
$982,500
+0.0%
Annual growth (house)
+0.0%
Days on market

Rental

$580/wk
Rent (house / wk)
$385/wk
$520/wk
Rent (unit / wk)
$450/wk
76.0%
Owner occupied
72.0%
20.0%
Renter occupied
26.0%

Lifestyle & Demographics

32
Walk score
2
0
Transit score
0
100
Bike score
100
12,388
Population
1,559
45
Median age
39

Risk & Hazard

Flood class
Bushfire risk

Schools

20
Schools nearby
20
1038
Avg ICSEA
1083

Climate

639 mm
Annual rainfall
639 mm
25.9°C
Mean max (Jan)
25.9°C

Green dot = better on that metric (lower price, higher growth, higher walkability, lower risk).