Harwood vs Palmers Island.
Comparing two suburbs with median house prices of $640,000 and $927,500. Palmers Island edges out on more headline metrics in this comparison.
Harwood (median $640,000) is roughly 31% cheaper to buy into than Palmers Island ($927,500). Over the past year, Palmers Island (0%) ran 4.5 percentage points ahead of Harwood (-4.5%) on house-price growth.
On school quality, the average ICSEA across schools serving Palmers Island (977) sits above Harwood (974). Palmers Island skews owner-occupied (86%), Harwood runs more rental-dense (68% owner).
For buyers
Harwood is the lower entry point at $640,000 median, 31% below the other suburb. For first home buyers, that translates to a smaller deposit and lower stamp duty bill.
For investors
Palmers Island has run faster on 12-month capital growth, favouring growth-led investors.
For families
Palmers Island edges out on average school ICSEA (977 vs 974). Palmers Island also has a higher family-household share (80% vs 64%), so the catchment community skews family-heavy.
Common questions
Is Harwood or Palmers Island cheaper to buy in?
Harwood has the lower median house price at $640,000, roughly 31% below Palmers Island ($927,500). The gap on units is usually similar but worth checking on the full suburb profiles.
Which has stronger property growth, Harwood or Palmers Island?
Over the past 12 months, Palmers Island grew 0% vs -4.5% in Harwood, a gap of 4.5 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 Harwood or Palmers Island have better schools?
On average school ICSEA (the ACARA index that benchmarks educational advantage), Palmers Island scores 977 vs 974 in Harwood. 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.
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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