Mcdowall vs Chermside West

Chermside West (median $970,000) is roughly 12% cheaper to buy into than Mcdowall ($1,100,000).

Buying in Mcdowall or Chermside West?

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Mcdowall and Chermside West side by side

MeasureMcdowallChermside West
Price and market
Median house$1,100,000$970,000
Median unit$645,000$705,000
Renting
House rent$900/wk$700/wk
Unit rent$470/wk$455/wk
Owner occupied77.0%71.0%
Renter occupied23.0%24.0%
Schools
Schools nearby2020
Average ICSEA10791062
Lifestyle and people
Walk score144
Transit score00
Bike score100100
Population7,6126,965
Median age3839
Climate
Annual rainfall1057 mm1057 mm
Mean max, January29.9°C29.9°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

Mcdowall scores higher on walkability (14/100 vs 4/100 ), useful if you're optimising for a car-light household. On school quality, the average ICSEA across schools serving Mcdowall (1079) sits above Chermside West (1062).

For buyers
Chermside West is the lower entry point at $970,000 median, 12% below the other suburb. For first home buyers, that translates to a smaller deposit and lower stamp duty bill.
For investors
Mcdowall offers the higher gross rental yield (4.25% vs 3.75%), favouring cash-flow investors.
For families
Mcdowall edges out on average school ICSEA (1079 vs 1062).

Mcdowall vs Chermside West: common questions

Is Mcdowall or Chermside West cheaper to buy in?

Chermside West has the lower median house price at $970,000, roughly 12% below Mcdowall ($1,100,000). The gap on units is usually similar but worth checking on the full suburb profiles.

Does Mcdowall or Chermside West have better schools?

On average school ICSEA (the ACARA index that benchmarks educational advantage), Mcdowall scores 1079 vs 1062 in Chermside West. 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, Mcdowall or Chermside West?

Mcdowall scores 14/100 on walkability vs 4/100. 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, Mcdowall or Chermside West?

Gross rental yield on houses is 4.25% in Mcdowall vs 3.75% in Chermside West. 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.