Balmain vs Pyrmont

Pyrmont (median $2,500,000) is roughly 14% cheaper to buy into than Balmain ($2,920,000).

Buying in Balmain or Pyrmont?

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Selling in Balmain? The free selling guide

Balmain and Pyrmont side by side

MeasureBalmainPyrmont
Price and market
Median house$2,920,000$2,500,000
Median unit$1,380,000$1,100,000
House price change, 12 months+20.3%–
Renting
House rent$1300/wk$1100/wk
Unit rent$811/wk$975/wk
Owner occupied57.0%36.0%
Renter occupied41.0%62.0%
Schools
Schools nearby2020
Average ICSEA11301096
Lifestyle and people
Walk score100100
Transit score20100
Bike score100100
Population10,45412,658
Median age4237
Climate
Annual rainfall1139 mm1139 mm
Mean max, January27.1°C27.1°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

On school quality, the average ICSEA across schools serving Balmain (1130) sits above Pyrmont (1096). Balmain skews owner-occupied (57%), Pyrmont runs more rental-dense (36% owner).

For buyers
Pyrmont is the lower entry point at $2,500,000 median, 14% below the other suburb. For first home buyers, that translates to a smaller deposit and lower stamp duty bill.
For investors
Balmain offers the higher gross rental yield (2.32% vs 2.29%), favouring cash-flow investors.
For families
Balmain edges out on average school ICSEA (1130 vs 1096).

Balmain vs Pyrmont: common questions

Is Balmain or Pyrmont cheaper to buy in?

Pyrmont has the lower median house price at $2,500,000, roughly 14% below Balmain ($2,920,000). The gap on units is usually similar but worth checking on the full suburb profiles.

Does Balmain or Pyrmont have better schools?

On average school ICSEA (the ACARA index that benchmarks educational advantage), Balmain scores 1130 vs 1096 in Pyrmont. 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 suburb has higher rental yield, Balmain or Pyrmont?

Gross rental yield on houses is 2.32% in Balmain vs 2.29% in Pyrmont. 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.