Northgate vs Hillcrest
Hillcrest (median $989,250) is roughly 21% cheaper to buy into than Northgate ($1,250,000).
Buying in Northgate or Hillcrest?
Selling in Northgate? The free selling guide
Northgate and Hillcrest side by side
| Measure | Northgate | Hillcrest |
|---|---|---|
| Price and market | ||
| Median house | $1,250,000 | $989,250 |
| Median unit | $259,920 | $257,760 |
| House price change, 12 months | – | +23.2% |
| Renting | ||
| House rent | $650/wk | $730/wk |
| Unit rent | $670/wk | $522/wk |
| Owner occupied | 75.0% | 63.0% |
| Renter occupied | 23.0% | 33.0% |
| Schools | ||
| Schools nearby | 20 | 20 |
| Average ICSEA | 1014 | 1044 |
| Lifestyle and people | ||
| Walk score | 8 | 14 |
| Transit score | 0 | 0 |
| Bike score | 100 | 100 |
| Population | 3,184 | 3,659 |
| Median age | 38 | 35 |
| Climate | ||
| Annual rainfall | 505 mm | 505 mm |
| Mean max, January | 30.0°C | 30.0°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
Hillcrest scores higher on walkability (8/100 vs 14/100 ), useful if you're optimising for a car-light household. On school quality, the average ICSEA across schools serving Hillcrest (1044) sits above Northgate (1014). Northgate skews owner-occupied (75%), Hillcrest runs more rental-dense (63% owner).
- For buyers
- Hillcrest is the lower entry point at $989,250 median, 21% below the other suburb. For first home buyers, that translates to a smaller deposit and lower stamp duty bill.
- For investors
- Hillcrest offers the higher gross rental yield (3.84% vs 2.70%), favouring cash-flow investors.
- For families
- Hillcrest edges out on average school ICSEA (1044 vs 1014). Northgate also has a higher family-household share (84% vs 70%), so the catchment community skews family-heavy.
Northgate vs Hillcrest: common questions
Is Northgate or Hillcrest cheaper to buy in?
Hillcrest has the lower median house price at $989,250, roughly 21% below Northgate ($1,250,000). The gap on units is usually similar but worth checking on the full suburb profiles.
Does Northgate or Hillcrest have better schools?
On average school ICSEA (the ACARA index that benchmarks educational advantage), Hillcrest scores 1044 vs 1014 in Northgate. 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, Northgate or Hillcrest?
Hillcrest scores 14/100 on walkability vs 8/100. 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, Northgate or Hillcrest?
Gross rental yield on houses is 3.84% in Hillcrest vs 2.70% in Northgate. 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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