Redfern vs Surry Hills
Redfern (median $2,012,500) is roughly 17% cheaper to buy into than Surry Hills ($2,415,000). Over the past year, Surry Hills (+18.7%) ran 12.8 percentage points ahead of Redfern (+5.9%) on house-price growth.
Buying in Redfern or Surry Hills?
Selling in Redfern? The free selling guide
Redfern and Surry Hills side by side
| Measure | Redfern | Surry Hills |
|---|---|---|
| Price and market | ||
| Median house | $2,012,500 | $2,415,000 |
| Median unit | $1,100,000 | $940,000 |
| House price change, 12 months | +5.9% | +18.7% |
| Renting | ||
| House rent | $1050/wk | $1150/wk |
| Unit rent | $785/wk | $830/wk |
| Owner occupied | 35.0% | 32.0% |
| Renter occupied | 62.0% | 65.0% |
| Schools | ||
| Schools nearby | 20 | 20 |
| Average ICSEA | 1047 | 1080 |
| Lifestyle and people | ||
| Walk score | 100 | 100 |
| Transit score | 0 | 100 |
| Bike score | 100 | 100 |
| Population | 13,072 | 15,828 |
| Median age | 36 | 35 |
| Climate | ||
| Annual rainfall | 1101 mm | 1101 mm |
| Mean max, January | 27.1°C | 27.1°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
On school quality, the average ICSEA across schools serving Surry Hills (1080) sits above Redfern (1047).
- For buyers
- Redfern is the lower entry point at $2,012,500 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: Redfern delivers the better gross yield (2.71% vs 2.48%), but Surry Hills 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
- Surry Hills edges out on average school ICSEA (1080 vs 1047).
Redfern vs Surry Hills: common questions
Is Redfern or Surry Hills cheaper to buy in?
Redfern has the lower median house price at $2,012,500, roughly 17% below Surry Hills ($2,415,000). The gap on units is usually similar but worth checking on the full suburb profiles.
Which has stronger property growth, Redfern or Surry Hills?
Over the past 12 months, Surry Hills grew +18.7% vs +5.9% in Redfern, a gap of 12.8 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 Redfern or Surry Hills have better schools?
On average school ICSEA (the ACARA index that benchmarks educational advantage), Surry Hills scores 1080 vs 1047 in Redfern. 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, Redfern or Surry Hills?
Gross rental yield on houses is 2.71% in Redfern vs 2.48% in Surry Hills. 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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