Hawthorne vs Norman Park
Norman Park (median $1,500,000) is roughly 29% cheaper to buy into than Hawthorne ($2,100,000).
Buying in Hawthorne or Norman Park?
Selling in Hawthorne? The free selling guide
Hawthorne and Norman Park side by side
| Measure | Hawthorne | Norman Park |
|---|---|---|
| Price and market | ||
| Median house | $2,100,000 | $1,500,000 |
| Median unit | $757,000 | $762,500 |
| Renting | ||
| House rent | $1100/wk | $800/wk |
| Unit rent | $650/wk | $650/wk |
| Owner occupied | 62.0% | 64.0% |
| Renter occupied | 37.0% | 35.0% |
| Schools | ||
| Schools nearby | 20 | 20 |
| Average ICSEA | 1103 | 1098 |
| Lifestyle and people | ||
| Walk score | 72 | 42 |
| Transit score | 0 | 20 |
| Bike score | 100 | 100 |
| Population | 5,090 | 6,842 |
| Median age | 37 | 35 |
| Climate | ||
| Annual rainfall | 1007 mm | 967 mm |
| Mean max, January | 30.0°C | 30.2°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
Hawthorne scores higher on walkability (72/100 vs 42/100 ), useful if you're optimising for a car-light household. On school quality, the average ICSEA across schools serving Hawthorne (1103) sits above Norman Park (1098).
- For buyers
- Norman Park is the lower entry point at $1,500,000 median, 29% below the other suburb. For first home buyers, that translates to a smaller deposit and lower stamp duty bill.
- For investors
- Norman Park offers the higher gross rental yield (2.77% vs 2.72%), favouring cash-flow investors.
- For families
- Hawthorne edges out on average school ICSEA (1103 vs 1098).
Hawthorne vs Norman Park: common questions
Is Hawthorne or Norman Park cheaper to buy in?
Norman Park has the lower median house price at $1,500,000, roughly 29% below Hawthorne ($2,100,000). The gap on units is usually similar but worth checking on the full suburb profiles.
Does Hawthorne or Norman Park have better schools?
On average school ICSEA (the ACARA index that benchmarks educational advantage), Hawthorne scores 1103 vs 1098 in Norman Park. 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, Hawthorne or Norman Park?
Hawthorne scores 72/100 on walkability vs 42/100. 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, Hawthorne or Norman Park?
Gross rental yield on houses is 2.77% in Norman Park vs 2.72% in Hawthorne. 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.
Keep comparing
The two suburbs
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