Normanhurst vs Thornleigh
Thornleigh (median $1,850,000) is roughly 3% cheaper to buy into than Normanhurst ($1,900,000). Over the past year, Thornleigh (-2%) ran 2.4 percentage points ahead of Normanhurst (-4.4%) on house-price growth.
Buying in Normanhurst or Thornleigh?
Selling in Normanhurst? The free selling guide
Normanhurst and Thornleigh side by side
| Measure | Normanhurst | Thornleigh |
|---|---|---|
| Price and market | ||
| Median house | $1,900,000 | $1,850,000 |
| Median unit | $514,800 | $446,400 |
| House price change, 12 months | -4.4% | -2.0% |
| Renting | ||
| House rent | $1075/wk | $963/wk |
| Unit rent | $750/wk | $650/wk |
| Owner occupied | 77.0% | 75.0% |
| Renter occupied | 19.0% | 23.0% |
| Schools | ||
| Schools nearby | 20 | 20 |
| Average ICSEA | 1142 | 1139 |
| Lifestyle and people | ||
| Walk score | 0 | 34 |
| Transit score | 20 | 0 |
| Bike score | 25 | 45 |
| Population | 5,387 | 8,898 |
| Median age | 41 | 40 |
| Climate | ||
| Annual rainfall | 1097 mm | 1113 mm |
| Mean max, January | 27.8°C | 28.0°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
Thornleigh scores higher on walkability (0/100 vs 34/100 ), useful if you're optimising for a car-light household. On school quality, the average ICSEA across schools serving Normanhurst (1142) sits above Thornleigh (1139).
- For buyers
- Thornleigh is the lower entry point at $1,850,000 median, 3% below the other suburb. For first home buyers, that translates to a smaller deposit and lower stamp duty bill.
- For investors
- Investors face a yield-versus-growth split: Normanhurst delivers the better gross yield (2.94% vs 2.71%), but Thornleigh has run faster on capital growth this year. The right pick depends on whether you're optimising for cash flow or capital appreciation.
- For families
- Normanhurst edges out on average school ICSEA (1142 vs 1139).
Normanhurst vs Thornleigh: common questions
Is Normanhurst or Thornleigh cheaper to buy in?
Thornleigh has the lower median house price at $1,850,000, roughly 3% below Normanhurst ($1,900,000). The gap on units is usually similar but worth checking on the full suburb profiles.
Which has stronger property growth, Normanhurst or Thornleigh?
Over the past 12 months, Thornleigh grew -2% vs -4.4% in Normanhurst, a gap of 2.4 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 Normanhurst or Thornleigh have better schools?
On average school ICSEA (the ACARA index that benchmarks educational advantage), Normanhurst scores 1142 vs 1139 in Thornleigh. 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, Normanhurst or Thornleigh?
Thornleigh scores 34/100 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, Normanhurst or Thornleigh?
Gross rental yield on houses is 2.94% in Normanhurst vs 2.71% in Thornleigh. 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.
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