Side by sideSuburb comparison

South Brisbane vs Highgate Hill.

Comparing two suburbs with median house prices of $1,910,000 and $1,815,000.

Highgate Hill (median $1,815,000) is roughly 5% cheaper to buy into than South Brisbane ($1,910,000).

On school quality, the average ICSEA across schools serving South Brisbane (1124) sits above Highgate Hill (1115). Highgate Hill skews owner-occupied (47%), South Brisbane runs more rental-dense (27% owner).

The takeWhich suburb suits which buyer

For buyers

Highgate Hill is the lower entry point at $1,815,000 median, 5% below the other suburb. For first home buyers, that translates to a smaller deposit and lower stamp duty bill.

For investors

Highgate Hill offers the higher gross rental yield (1.29% vs 1.23%), favouring cash-flow investors.

For families

South Brisbane edges out on average school ICSEA (1124 vs 1115).

Common questionsSouth Brisbane vs Highgate Hill

Common questions

Is South Brisbane or Highgate Hill cheaper to buy in?

Highgate Hill has the lower median house price at $1,815,000, roughly 5% below South Brisbane ($1,910,000). The gap on units is usually similar but worth checking on the full suburb profiles.

Does South Brisbane or Highgate Hill have better schools?

On average school ICSEA (the ACARA index that benchmarks educational advantage), South Brisbane scores 1124 vs 1115 in Highgate Hill. 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, South Brisbane or Highgate Hill?

Gross rental yield on houses is 1.29% in Highgate Hill vs 1.23% in South Brisbane. 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

South Brisbane
Metric
Highgate Hill

Price & Market

$1,910,000
Median house
$1,815,000
$590,000
Median unit
$702,000
+0.0%
Annual growth (house)
+0.0%
Days on market

Rental

$450/wk
Rent (house / wk)
$450/wk
$880/wk
Rent (unit / wk)
$625/wk
27.0%
Owner occupied
47.0%
70.0%
Renter occupied
51.0%

Lifestyle & Demographics

100
Walk score
100
100
Transit score
0
100
Bike score
100
14,292
Population
6,229
29
Median age
37

Risk & Hazard

Flood class
Bushfire risk

Schools

20
Schools nearby
20
1124
Avg ICSEA
1115

Climate

1068 mm
Annual rainfall
1068 mm
30.4°C
Mean max (Jan)
30.4°C

Green dot = better on that metric (lower price, higher growth, higher walkability, lower risk).