Smithfield vs Fairfield.
Comparing two suburbs with median house prices of $1,235,500 and $1,250,000. Smithfield edges out on more headline metrics in this comparison.
Smithfield (median $1,235,500) is roughly 1% cheaper to buy into than Fairfield ($1,250,000). Over the past year, Smithfield (+5.5%) ran 0.5 percentage points ahead of Fairfield (+5%) on house-price growth.
Fairfield scores higher on walkability (6/100 vs 80/100 ), useful if you're optimising for a car-light household. On school quality, the average ICSEA across schools serving Smithfield (951) sits above Fairfield (949). Smithfield skews owner-occupied (54%), Fairfield runs more rental-dense (39% owner).
For buyers
Smithfield is the lower entry point at $1,235,500 median, 1% below the other suburb. For first home buyers, that translates to a smaller deposit and lower stamp duty bill.
For investors
Smithfield carries both higher gross yield (3.04% vs 2.79%) and stronger 12-month growth. On the headline numbers, it's the cleaner investor case of the two.
For families
Smithfield edges out on average school ICSEA (951 vs 949).
Common questions
Is Smithfield or Fairfield cheaper to buy in?
Smithfield has the lower median house price at $1,235,500, roughly 1% below Fairfield ($1,250,000). The gap on units is usually similar but worth checking on the full suburb profiles.
Which has stronger property growth, Smithfield or Fairfield?
Over the past 12 months, Smithfield grew +5.5% vs +5% in Fairfield, a gap of 0.5 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 Smithfield or Fairfield have better schools?
On average school ICSEA (the ACARA index that benchmarks educational advantage), Smithfield scores 951 vs 949 in Fairfield. 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, Smithfield or Fairfield?
Fairfield scores 80/100 on walkability vs 6/100. 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, Smithfield or Fairfield?
Gross rental yield on houses is 3.04% in Smithfield vs 2.79% in Fairfield. 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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