Hornsby vs Wahroonga
Hornsby (median $1,850,000) is roughly 38% cheaper to buy into than Wahroonga ($2,990,000). Over the past year, Hornsby (+3.8%) ran 0.7 percentage points ahead of Wahroonga (+3.1%) on house-price growth.
Buying in Hornsby or Wahroonga?
Selling in Hornsby? The free selling guide
Hornsby and Wahroonga side by side
| Measure | Hornsby | Wahroonga |
|---|---|---|
| Price and market | ||
| Median house | $1,850,000 | $2,990,000 |
| Median unit | $372,240 | $514,800 |
| House price change, 12 months | +3.8% | +3.1% |
| Renting | ||
| House rent | $890/wk | $1075/wk |
| Unit rent | $700/wk | $750/wk |
| Owner occupied | 55.0% | 78.0% |
| Renter occupied | 43.0% | 18.0% |
| Schools | ||
| Schools nearby | 20 | 20 |
| Average ICSEA | 1126 | 1143 |
| Lifestyle and people | ||
| Walk score | 100 | 50 |
| Transit score | 90 | 0 |
| Bike score | 100 | 80 |
| Population | 22,462 | 17,853 |
| Median age | 38 | 44 |
| Climate | ||
| Annual rainfall | 1097 mm | 1097 mm |
| Mean max, January | 27.8°C | 27.8°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
Hornsby scores higher on walkability (100/100 vs 50/100 ), useful if you're optimising for a car-light household. On school quality, the average ICSEA across schools serving Wahroonga (1143) sits above Hornsby (1126). Wahroonga skews owner-occupied (78%), Hornsby runs more rental-dense (55% owner).
- For buyers
- Hornsby is the lower entry point at $1,850,000 median, 38% below the other suburb. For first home buyers, that translates to a smaller deposit and lower stamp duty bill.
- For investors
- Hornsby carries both higher gross yield (2.50% vs 1.87%) and stronger 12-month growth. On the headline numbers, it's the cleaner investor case of the two.
- For families
- Wahroonga edges out on average school ICSEA (1143 vs 1126). Wahroonga also has a higher family-household share (82% vs 70%), so the catchment community skews family-heavy.
Hornsby vs Wahroonga: common questions
Is Hornsby or Wahroonga cheaper to buy in?
Hornsby has the lower median house price at $1,850,000, roughly 38% below Wahroonga ($2,990,000). The gap on units is usually similar but worth checking on the full suburb profiles.
Which has stronger property growth, Hornsby or Wahroonga?
Over the past 12 months, Hornsby grew +3.8% vs +3.1% in Wahroonga, a gap of 0.7 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 Hornsby or Wahroonga have better schools?
On average school ICSEA (the ACARA index that benchmarks educational advantage), Wahroonga scores 1143 vs 1126 in Hornsby. 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, Hornsby or Wahroonga?
Hornsby scores 100/100 on walkability vs 50/100. 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, Hornsby or Wahroonga?
Gross rental yield on houses is 2.50% in Hornsby vs 1.87% in Wahroonga. 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
Compare Hornsby with
Choosing between Hornsby and Wahroonga?
The free buying guide: budget, schemes, inspections and how not to overpay.