Lugarno vs Padstow Heights.
Comparing two suburbs with median house prices of $1,780,200 and $1,571,000. Padstow Heights edges out on more headline metrics in this comparison.
Padstow Heights (median $1,571,000) is roughly 13% cheaper to buy into than Lugarno ($1,780,200). Over the past year, Padstow Heights (+7.6%) ran 11.4 percentage points ahead of Lugarno (-3.8%) on house-price growth.
Padstow Heights scores higher on walkability (2/100 vs 6/100 ), useful if you're optimising for a car-light household. On school quality, the average ICSEA across schools serving Lugarno (1073) sits above Padstow Heights (1055). Lugarno skews owner-occupied (90%), Padstow Heights runs more rental-dense (77% owner).
For buyers
Padstow Heights is the lower entry point at $1,571,000 median, 13% below the other suburb. For first home buyers, that translates to a smaller deposit and lower stamp duty bill.
For investors
Padstow Heights carries both higher gross yield (2.81% vs 2.48%) and stronger 12-month growth. On the headline numbers, it's the cleaner investor case of the two.
For families
Lugarno edges out on average school ICSEA (1073 vs 1055). Lugarno also has a higher family-household share (87% vs 74%), so the catchment community skews family-heavy.
Common questions
Is Lugarno or Padstow Heights cheaper to buy in?
Padstow Heights has the lower median house price at $1,571,000, roughly 13% below Lugarno ($1,780,200). The gap on units is usually similar but worth checking on the full suburb profiles.
Which has stronger property growth, Lugarno or Padstow Heights?
Over the past 12 months, Padstow Heights grew +7.6% vs -3.8% in Lugarno, a gap of 11.4 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 Lugarno or Padstow Heights have better schools?
On average school ICSEA (the ACARA index that benchmarks educational advantage), Lugarno scores 1073 vs 1055 in Padstow Heights. 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, Lugarno or Padstow Heights?
Padstow Heights scores 6/100 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, Lugarno or Padstow Heights?
Gross rental yield on houses is 2.81% in Padstow Heights vs 2.48% in Lugarno. 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).
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