Cherrybrook vs Thornleigh
Thornleigh (median $1,850,000) is roughly 23% cheaper to buy into than Cherrybrook ($2,410,000). Over the past year, Cherrybrook (+2.6%) ran 4.6 percentage points ahead of Thornleigh (-2%) on house-price growth.
Buying in Cherrybrook or Thornleigh?
Selling in Cherrybrook? The free selling guide
Cherrybrook and Thornleigh side by side
| Measure | Cherrybrook | Thornleigh |
|---|---|---|
| Price and market | ||
| Median house | $2,410,000 | $1,850,000 |
| Median unit | $1,400,000 | $446,400 |
| House price change, 12 months | +2.6% | -2.0% |
| Renting | ||
| House rent | $1200/wk | $963/wk |
| Unit rent | – | $650/wk |
| Owner occupied | 82.0% | 75.0% |
| Renter occupied | 15.0% | 23.0% |
| Schools | ||
| Schools nearby | 20 | 20 |
| Average ICSEA | 1137 | 1139 |
| Lifestyle and people | ||
| Walk score | 8 | 34 |
| Transit score | 0 | 0 |
| Bike score | 40 | 45 |
| Population | 19,082 | 8,898 |
| Median age | 43 | 40 |
| Climate | ||
| Annual rainfall | 989 mm | 1113 mm |
| Mean max, January | 28.3°C | 28.0°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
Thornleigh scores higher on walkability (8/100 vs 34/100 ), useful if you're optimising for a car-light household. On school quality, the average ICSEA across schools serving Thornleigh (1139) sits above Cherrybrook (1137).
- For buyers
- Thornleigh is the lower entry point at $1,850,000 median, 23% 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: Thornleigh delivers the better gross yield (2.71% vs 2.59%), but Cherrybrook 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
- Thornleigh edges out on average school ICSEA (1139 vs 1137).
Cherrybrook vs Thornleigh: common questions
Is Cherrybrook or Thornleigh cheaper to buy in?
Thornleigh has the lower median house price at $1,850,000, roughly 23% below Cherrybrook ($2,410,000). The gap on units is usually similar but worth checking on the full suburb profiles.
Which has stronger property growth, Cherrybrook or Thornleigh?
Over the past 12 months, Cherrybrook grew +2.6% vs -2% in Thornleigh, a gap of 4.6 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 Cherrybrook or Thornleigh have better schools?
On average school ICSEA (the ACARA index that benchmarks educational advantage), Thornleigh scores 1139 vs 1137 in Cherrybrook. 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, Cherrybrook or Thornleigh?
Thornleigh scores 34/100 on walkability vs 8/100. 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, Cherrybrook or Thornleigh?
Gross rental yield on houses is 2.71% in Thornleigh vs 2.59% in Cherrybrook. 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.
Keep comparing
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