Side by sideSuburb comparison

Garden City vs Docklands.

Comparing two suburbs with median house prices of $1,875,000 and $440,000. Docklands edges out on more headline metrics in this comparison.

Docklands (median $440,000) is roughly 326% cheaper to buy into than Garden City ($1,875,000).

Docklands scores higher on walkability (18/100 vs 100/100 ), useful if you're optimising for a car-light household. On school quality, the average ICSEA across schools serving Garden City (1119) sits above Docklands (1077).

The takeWhich suburb suits which buyer

For buyers

Docklands is the lower entry point at $440,000 median, 326% below the other suburb. For first home buyers, that translates to a smaller deposit and lower stamp duty bill.

For investors

Docklands offers the higher gross rental yield (8.27% vs 1.50%), favouring cash-flow investors.

For families

Garden City edges out on average school ICSEA (1119 vs 1077).

Common questionsGarden City vs Docklands

Common questions

Is Garden City or Docklands cheaper to buy in?

Docklands has the lower median house price at $440,000, roughly 326% below Garden City ($1,875,000). The gap on units is usually similar but worth checking on the full suburb profiles.

Does Garden City or Docklands have better schools?

On average school ICSEA (the ACARA index that benchmarks educational advantage), Garden City scores 1119 vs 1077 in Docklands. 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, Garden City or Docklands?

Docklands scores 100/100 on walkability vs 18/100. 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, Garden City or Docklands?

Gross rental yield on houses is 8.27% in Docklands vs 1.50% in Garden City. 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

Garden City
Metric
Docklands

Price & Market

$1,875,000
Median house
$440,000
$396,000
Median unit
$585,000
+0.0%
Annual growth (house)
+0.0%
Days on market

Rental

$540/wk
Rent (house / wk)
$700/wk
$459/wk
Rent (unit / wk)
$411/wk
Owner occupied
30.0%
Renter occupied
67.0%

Lifestyle & Demographics

18
Walk score
100
10
Transit score
100
100
Bike score
100
17,633
Population
15,495
42
Median age
32

Risk & Hazard

Flood class
Bushfire risk

Schools

20
Schools nearby
20
1119
Avg ICSEA
1077

Climate

639 mm
Annual rainfall
639 mm
25.9°C
Mean max (Jan)
25.9°C

Green dot = better on that metric (lower price, higher growth, higher walkability, lower risk).