Bellevue Heights vs Tonsley
Tonsley (median $725,000) is roughly 42% cheaper to buy into than Bellevue Heights ($1,240,000). Over the past year, Bellevue Heights (+24.9%) ran 18.8 percentage points ahead of Tonsley (+6.1%) on house-price growth.
Buying in Bellevue Heights or Tonsley?
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Bellevue Heights and Tonsley side by side
| Measure | Bellevue Heights | Tonsley |
|---|---|---|
| Price and market | ||
| Median house | $1,240,000 | $725,000 |
| Median unit | $285,120 | $257,760 |
| House price change, 12 months | +24.9% | +6.1% |
| Renting | ||
| House rent | $697/wk | $670/wk |
| Unit rent | $370/wk | $295/wk |
| Owner occupied | 80.0% | 55.0% |
| Renter occupied | 12.0% | 43.0% |
| Schools | ||
| Schools nearby | 20 | 20 |
| Average ICSEA | 1073 | 1054 |
| Lifestyle and people | ||
| Walk score | 0 | 18 |
| Transit score | 0 | 0 |
| Bike score | 10 | 100 |
| Population | 2,712 | 743 |
| Median age | 47 | 31 |
| Climate | ||
| Annual rainfall | 670 mm | 466 mm |
| Mean max, January | 27.8°C | 28.8°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
Tonsley scores higher on walkability (0/100 vs 18/100 ), useful if you're optimising for a car-light household. On school quality, the average ICSEA across schools serving Bellevue Heights (1073) sits above Tonsley (1054). Bellevue Heights skews owner-occupied (80%), Tonsley runs more rental-dense (55% owner).
- For buyers
- Tonsley is the lower entry point at $725,000 median, 42% below the other suburb. For first home buyers, that translates to a smaller deposit and lower stamp duty bill.
- For investors
- Investors face a yield-versus-growth split: Tonsley delivers the better gross yield (4.81% vs 2.92%), but Bellevue Heights has run faster on capital growth this year. The right pick depends on whether you're optimising for cash flow or capital appreciation.
- For families
- Bellevue Heights edges out on average school ICSEA (1073 vs 1054). Bellevue Heights also has a higher family-household share (74% vs 50%), so the catchment community skews family-heavy.
Bellevue Heights vs Tonsley: common questions
Is Bellevue Heights or Tonsley cheaper to buy in?
Tonsley has the lower median house price at $725,000, roughly 42% below Bellevue Heights ($1,240,000). The gap on units is usually similar but worth checking on the full suburb profiles.
Which has stronger property growth, Bellevue Heights or Tonsley?
Over the past 12 months, Bellevue Heights grew +24.9% vs +6.1% in Tonsley, a gap of 18.8 percentage points. Twelve-month growth can swing year to year, so weight long-run trends from the individual suburb profiles before making a buy decision.
Does Bellevue Heights or Tonsley have better schools?
On average school ICSEA (the ACARA index that benchmarks educational advantage), Bellevue Heights scores 1073 vs 1054 in Tonsley. 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, Bellevue Heights or Tonsley?
Tonsley scores 18/100 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.
Which suburb has higher rental yield, Bellevue Heights or Tonsley?
Gross rental yield on houses is 4.81% in Tonsley vs 2.92% in Bellevue Heights. 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.
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