Side by sideSuburb comparison

Gungahlin vs Palmerston.

Comparing two suburbs with median house prices of $996,000 and $1,038,000. Gungahlin edges out on more headline metrics in this comparison.

Gungahlin (median $996,000) is roughly 4% cheaper to buy into than Palmerston ($1,038,000).

Gungahlin scores higher on walkability (98/100 vs 2/100 ), useful if you're optimising for a car-light household. On school quality, the average ICSEA across schools serving Gungahlin (1081) sits above Palmerston (1079). Palmerston skews owner-occupied (70%), Gungahlin runs more rental-dense (45% owner).

The takeWhich suburb suits which buyer

For buyers

Gungahlin is the lower entry point at $996,000 median, 4% below the other suburb. For first home buyers, that translates to a smaller deposit and lower stamp duty bill.

For investors

Gungahlin offers the higher gross rental yield (2.35% vs 2.30%), favouring cash-flow investors.

For families

Gungahlin edges out on average school ICSEA (1081 vs 1079).

Common questionsGungahlin vs Palmerston

Common questions

Is Gungahlin or Palmerston cheaper to buy in?

Gungahlin has the lower median house price at $996,000, roughly 4% below Palmerston ($1,038,000). The gap on units is usually similar but worth checking on the full suburb profiles.

Does Gungahlin or Palmerston have better schools?

On average school ICSEA (the ACARA index that benchmarks educational advantage), Gungahlin scores 1081 vs 1079 in Palmerston. 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, Gungahlin or Palmerston?

Gungahlin scores 98/100 on walkability vs 2/100. 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, Gungahlin or Palmerston?

Gross rental yield on houses is 2.35% in Gungahlin vs 2.30% in Palmerston. 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

Gungahlin
Metric
Palmerston

Price & Market

$996,000
Median house
$1,038,000
$435,000
Median unit
$637,750
+0.0%
Annual growth (house)
+0.0%
Days on market

Rental

$450/wk
Rent (house / wk)
$460/wk
$450/wk
Rent (unit / wk)
$450/wk
45.0%
Owner occupied
70.0%
53.0%
Renter occupied
28.0%

Lifestyle & Demographics

98
Walk score
2
60
Transit score
100
100
Bike score
100
8,586
Population
5,579
31
Median age
36

Risk & Hazard

Flood class
Bushfire risk

Schools

20
Schools nearby
20
1081
Avg ICSEA
1079

Climate

Annual rainfall
Mean max (Jan)

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