Thornleigh vs Waitara
Thornleigh (median $1,850,000) is roughly 27% cheaper to buy into than Waitara ($2,521,000).
Buying in Thornleigh or Waitara?
Selling in Thornleigh? The free selling guide
Thornleigh and Waitara side by side
| Measure | Thornleigh | Waitara |
|---|---|---|
| Price and market | ||
| Median house | $1,850,000 | $2,521,000 |
| Median unit | $446,400 | $372,240 |
| House price change, 12 months | -2.0% | – |
| Renting | ||
| House rent | $963/wk | $890/wk |
| Unit rent | $650/wk | $700/wk |
| Owner occupied | 75.0% | 48.0% |
| Renter occupied | 23.0% | 50.0% |
| Schools | ||
| Schools nearby | 20 | 20 |
| Average ICSEA | 1139 | 1131 |
| Lifestyle and people | ||
| Walk score | 34 | 100 |
| Transit score | 0 | 20 |
| Bike score | 45 | 100 |
| Population | 8,898 | 7,837 |
| Median age | 40 | 36 |
| Climate | ||
| Annual rainfall | 1113 mm | 1097 mm |
| Mean max, January | 28.0°C | 27.8°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
Waitara scores higher on walkability (34/100 vs 100/100 ), useful if you're optimising for a car-light household. On school quality, the average ICSEA across schools serving Thornleigh (1139) sits above Waitara (1131). Thornleigh skews owner-occupied (75%), Waitara runs more rental-dense (48% owner).
- For buyers
- Thornleigh is the lower entry point at $1,850,000 median, 27% below the other suburb. For first home buyers, that translates to a smaller deposit and lower stamp duty bill.
- For investors
- Thornleigh offers the higher gross rental yield (2.71% vs 1.84%), favouring cash-flow investors.
- For families
- Thornleigh edges out on average school ICSEA (1139 vs 1131). Thornleigh also has a higher family-household share (82% vs 70%), so the catchment community skews family-heavy.
Thornleigh vs Waitara: common questions
Is Thornleigh or Waitara cheaper to buy in?
Thornleigh has the lower median house price at $1,850,000, roughly 27% below Waitara ($2,521,000). The gap on units is usually similar but worth checking on the full suburb profiles.
Does Thornleigh or Waitara have better schools?
On average school ICSEA (the ACARA index that benchmarks educational advantage), Thornleigh scores 1139 vs 1131 in Waitara. 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, Thornleigh or Waitara?
Waitara scores 100/100 on walkability vs 34/100. 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, Thornleigh or Waitara?
Gross rental yield on houses is 2.71% in Thornleigh vs 1.84% in Waitara. 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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