Macarthur vs Chisholm
Chisholm (median $830,000) is roughly 12% cheaper to buy into than Macarthur ($940,000).
Buying in Macarthur or Chisholm?
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Macarthur and Chisholm side by side
| Measure | Macarthur | Chisholm |
|---|---|---|
| Price and market | ||
| Median house | $940,000 | $830,000 |
| Median unit | $343,440 | $316,800 |
| Renting | ||
| House rent | $462/wk | $430/wk |
| Unit rent | $520/wk | $410/wk |
| Owner occupied | 89.0% | 79.0% |
| Renter occupied | 10.0% | 20.0% |
| Schools | ||
| Schools nearby | 20 | 20 |
| Average ICSEA | 1038 | 1036 |
| Lifestyle and people | ||
| Walk score | 26 | 0 |
| Transit score | 20 | 80 |
| Bike score | 100 | 100 |
| Population | 1,405 | 5,268 |
| Median age | 39 | 37 |
| Climate | ||
| Annual rainfall | 629 mm | 648 mm |
| Mean max, January | 28.6°C | 28.8°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
Macarthur scores higher on walkability (26/100 vs 0/100 ), useful if you're optimising for a car-light household. On school quality, the average ICSEA across schools serving Macarthur (1038) sits above Chisholm (1036). Macarthur skews owner-occupied (89%), Chisholm runs more rental-dense (79% owner).
- For buyers
- Chisholm is the lower entry point at $830,000 median, 12% below the other suburb. For first home buyers, that translates to a smaller deposit and lower stamp duty bill.
- For investors
- Chisholm offers the higher gross rental yield (2.69% vs 2.56%), favouring cash-flow investors.
- For families
- Macarthur edges out on average school ICSEA (1038 vs 1036).
Macarthur vs Chisholm: common questions
Is Macarthur or Chisholm cheaper to buy in?
Chisholm has the lower median house price at $830,000, roughly 12% below Macarthur ($940,000). The gap on units is usually similar but worth checking on the full suburb profiles.
Does Macarthur or Chisholm have better schools?
On average school ICSEA (the ACARA index that benchmarks educational advantage), Macarthur scores 1038 vs 1036 in Chisholm. 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, Macarthur or Chisholm?
Macarthur scores 26/100 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, Macarthur or Chisholm?
Gross rental yield on houses is 2.69% in Chisholm vs 2.56% in Macarthur. 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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