Padstow vs Riverwood.
Comparing two suburbs with median house prices of $1,631,000 and $1,400,000. Riverwood edges out on more headline metrics in this comparison.
Riverwood (median $1,400,000) is roughly 17% cheaper to buy into than Padstow ($1,631,000). Over the past year, Padstow (+4.8%) ran 8.2 percentage points ahead of Riverwood (-3.4%) on house-price growth.
On school quality, the average ICSEA across schools serving Riverwood (1032) sits above Padstow (1020). Padstow skews owner-occupied (65%), Riverwood runs more rental-dense (42% owner).
For buyers
Riverwood is the lower entry point at $1,400,000 median, 17% 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: Riverwood delivers the better gross yield (3.16% vs 2.71%), but Padstow 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
Riverwood edges out on average school ICSEA (1032 vs 1020). Padstow also has a higher family-household share (76% vs 66%), so the catchment community skews family-heavy.
Common questions
Is Padstow or Riverwood cheaper to buy in?
Riverwood has the lower median house price at $1,400,000, roughly 17% below Padstow ($1,631,000). The gap on units is usually similar but worth checking on the full suburb profiles.
Which has stronger property growth, Padstow or Riverwood?
Over the past 12 months, Padstow grew +4.8% vs -3.4% in Riverwood, a gap of 8.2 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 Padstow or Riverwood have better schools?
On average school ICSEA (the ACARA index that benchmarks educational advantage), Riverwood scores 1032 vs 1020 in Padstow. 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 suburb has higher rental yield, Padstow or Riverwood?
Gross rental yield on houses is 3.16% in Riverwood vs 2.71% in Padstow. 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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