Chermside West vs Mcdowall
Chermside West (median $970,000) is roughly 12% cheaper to buy into than Mcdowall ($1,100,000).
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Chermside West and Mcdowall side by side
| Measure | Chermside West | Mcdowall |
|---|---|---|
| Price and market | ||
| Median house | $970,000 | $1,100,000 |
| Median unit | $705,000 | $645,000 |
| Renting | ||
| House rent | $700/wk | $900/wk |
| Unit rent | $455/wk | $470/wk |
| Owner occupied | 71.0% | 77.0% |
| Renter occupied | 24.0% | 23.0% |
| Schools | ||
| Schools nearby | 20 | 20 |
| Average ICSEA | 1062 | 1079 |
| Lifestyle and people | ||
| Walk score | 4 | 14 |
| Transit score | 0 | 0 |
| Bike score | 100 | 100 |
| Population | 6,965 | 7,612 |
| Median age | 39 | 38 |
| Climate | ||
| Annual rainfall | 1057 mm | 1057 mm |
| Mean max, January | 29.9°C | 29.9°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
Mcdowall scores higher on walkability (4/100 vs 14/100 ), useful if you're optimising for a car-light household. On school quality, the average ICSEA across schools serving Mcdowall (1079) sits above Chermside West (1062).
- For buyers
- Chermside West is the lower entry point at $970,000 median, 12% below the other suburb. For first home buyers, that translates to a smaller deposit and lower stamp duty bill.
- For investors
- Mcdowall offers the higher gross rental yield (4.25% vs 3.75%), favouring cash-flow investors.
- For families
- Mcdowall edges out on average school ICSEA (1079 vs 1062).
Chermside West vs Mcdowall: common questions
Is Chermside West or Mcdowall cheaper to buy in?
Chermside West has the lower median house price at $970,000, roughly 12% below Mcdowall ($1,100,000). The gap on units is usually similar but worth checking on the full suburb profiles.
Does Chermside West or Mcdowall have better schools?
On average school ICSEA (the ACARA index that benchmarks educational advantage), Mcdowall scores 1079 vs 1062 in Chermside West. 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, Chermside West or Mcdowall?
Mcdowall scores 14/100 on walkability vs 4/100. 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, Chermside West or Mcdowall?
Gross rental yield on houses is 4.25% in Mcdowall vs 3.75% in Chermside 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.
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The two suburbs
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