Lawson vs Kaleen.
Comparing two suburbs with median house prices of $429,000 and $1,003,250. Kaleen edges out on more headline metrics in this comparison.
Lawson (median $429,000) is roughly 57% cheaper to buy into than Kaleen ($1,003,250).
Kaleen scores higher on walkability (0/100 vs 24/100 ), useful if you're optimising for a car-light household. On school quality, the average ICSEA across schools serving Kaleen (1096) sits above Lawson (1084). Kaleen skews owner-occupied (73%), Lawson runs more rental-dense (53% owner).
For buyers
Lawson is the lower entry point at $429,000 median, 57% below the other suburb. For first home buyers, that translates to a smaller deposit and lower stamp duty bill.
For investors
Lawson offers the higher gross rental yield (5.33% vs 2.28%), favouring cash-flow investors.
For families
Kaleen edges out on average school ICSEA (1096 vs 1084). Kaleen also has a higher family-household share (76% vs 62%), so the catchment community skews family-heavy.
Common questions
Is Lawson or Kaleen cheaper to buy in?
Lawson has the lower median house price at $429,000, roughly 57% below Kaleen ($1,003,250). The gap on units is usually similar but worth checking on the full suburb profiles.
Does Lawson or Kaleen have better schools?
On average school ICSEA (the ACARA index that benchmarks educational advantage), Kaleen scores 1096 vs 1084 in Lawson. 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, Lawson or Kaleen?
Kaleen scores 24/100 on walkability vs 0/100. 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, Lawson or Kaleen?
Gross rental yield on houses is 5.33% in Lawson vs 2.28% in Kaleen. 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
Price & Market
Rental
Lifestyle & Demographics
Risk & Hazard
Schools
Climate
Green dot = better on that metric (lower price, higher growth, higher walkability, lower risk).
Compare Lawson against another suburb