Fairfield vs Smithfield
Smithfield (median $1,235,500) is roughly 1% cheaper to buy into than Fairfield ($1,250,000). Over the past year, Smithfield (+5.5%) ran 0.5 percentage points ahead of Fairfield (+5%) on house-price growth.
Buying in Fairfield or Smithfield?
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Fairfield and Smithfield side by side
| Measure | Fairfield | Smithfield |
|---|---|---|
| Price and market | ||
| Median house | $1,250,000 | $1,235,500 |
| Median unit | $420,000 | $343,440 |
| House price change, 12 months | +5.0% | +5.5% |
| Renting | ||
| House rent | $670/wk | $723/wk |
| Unit rent | $560/wk | $535/wk |
| Owner occupied | 39.0% | 54.0% |
| Renter occupied | 58.0% | 43.0% |
| Schools | ||
| Schools nearby | 20 | 20 |
| Average ICSEA | 949 | 951 |
| Lifestyle and people | ||
| Walk score | 80 | 6 |
| Transit score | 100 | 0 |
| Bike score | 100 | 100 |
| Population | 18,596 | 13,160 |
| Median age | 40 | 38 |
| Climate | ||
| Annual rainfall | 850 mm | 850 mm |
| Mean max, January | 29.4°C | 29.4°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
Fairfield scores higher on walkability (80/100 vs 6/100 ), useful if you're optimising for a car-light household. On school quality, the average ICSEA across schools serving Smithfield (951) sits above Fairfield (949). Smithfield skews owner-occupied (54%), Fairfield runs more rental-dense (39% owner).
- For buyers
- Smithfield is the lower entry point at $1,235,500 median, 1% below the other suburb. For first home buyers, that translates to a smaller deposit and lower stamp duty bill.
- For investors
- Smithfield carries both higher gross yield (3.04% vs 2.79%) and stronger 12-month growth. On the headline numbers, it's the cleaner investor case of the two.
- For families
- Smithfield edges out on average school ICSEA (951 vs 949).
Fairfield vs Smithfield: common questions
Is Fairfield or Smithfield cheaper to buy in?
Smithfield has the lower median house price at $1,235,500, roughly 1% below Fairfield ($1,250,000). The gap on units is usually similar but worth checking on the full suburb profiles.
Which has stronger property growth, Fairfield or Smithfield?
Over the past 12 months, Smithfield grew +5.5% vs +5% in Fairfield, a gap of 0.5 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 Fairfield or Smithfield have better schools?
On average school ICSEA (the ACARA index that benchmarks educational advantage), Smithfield scores 951 vs 949 in Fairfield. 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, Fairfield or Smithfield?
Fairfield scores 80/100 on walkability vs 6/100. 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, Fairfield or Smithfield?
Gross rental yield on houses is 3.04% in Smithfield vs 2.79% in Fairfield. 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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