Downer vs Dickson.
Comparing two suburbs with median house prices of $1,151,000 and $1,110,350. Dickson edges out on more headline metrics in this comparison.
Dickson (median $1,110,350) is roughly 4% cheaper to buy into than Downer ($1,151,000).
Dickson scores higher on walkability (94/100 vs 100/100 ), useful if you're optimising for a car-light household. On school quality, the average ICSEA across schools serving Dickson (1124) sits above Downer (1121).
For buyers
Dickson is the lower entry point at $1,110,350 median, 4% below the other suburb. For first home buyers, that translates to a smaller deposit and lower stamp duty bill.
For investors
Dickson offers the higher gross rental yield (2.04% vs 1.97%), favouring cash-flow investors.
For families
Dickson edges out on average school ICSEA (1124 vs 1121). Downer also has a higher family-household share (64% vs 53%), so the catchment community skews family-heavy.
Common questions
Is Downer or Dickson cheaper to buy in?
Dickson has the lower median house price at $1,110,350, roughly 4% below Downer ($1,151,000). The gap on units is usually similar but worth checking on the full suburb profiles.
Does Downer or Dickson have better schools?
On average school ICSEA (the ACARA index that benchmarks educational advantage), Dickson scores 1124 vs 1121 in Downer. 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, Downer or Dickson?
Dickson scores 100/100 on walkability vs 94/100. 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, Downer or Dickson?
Gross rental yield on houses is 2.04% in Dickson vs 1.97% in Downer. 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
Price & Market
Rental
Lifestyle & Demographics
Risk & Hazard
Schools
Climate
Green dot = better on that metric (lower price, higher growth, higher walkability, lower risk).
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