Alexandria vs Rosebery

In both, about half of households rent and most homes are flats or apartments. In Alexandria, about half of households are people living alone. Alexandria is closer to the city centre: 6.7 km, against 7.7 km. On these figures, Alexandria tends to suit people living alone.

Which one suits you?

There is no overall winner — the suburb that suits a family with school-age kids is routinely the wrong one for someone commuting into the city. So each of these answers its own question, against a checklist you can see, using the same figures in the tables below.

Families with school-age kids

Rosebery

ahead on 3 of the 6 things we measure here

  • has more separate houses rather than flats (23% vs 5%)
  • carries lower crime risk (54/100 vs 85/100)
  • is already more of a family suburb (45% vs 30%)
  • But Alexandria has more schools rated above their peers (1 vs 0)

Weighs schools, house stock, crime, parks, childcare, and who already lives there.

First-home buyers

Alexandria

ahead on the one thing that separates them

  • has cheaper houses ($2,236,000 vs $2,515,000)

Weighs house prices, unit prices, and mortgage stress.

Renters

Too close to call

Nothing among the 3 things we measure here separates them by enough to be worth acting on.

Weighs rent, rental stress, and how much is for rent.

Commuting to the city

Too close to call

Nothing among the 4 things we measure here separates them by enough to be worth acting on.

Weighs distance, drive time, rail access, and walkability.

Downsizers and retirees

They split

one each way, out of the 5 things we measure here

  • Alexandria has more units and townhouses to downsize into (95% vs 77%)
  • Rosebery carries lower crime risk (54/100 vs 85/100)

Weighs smaller dwellings, who already lives there, GPs, walkability, and crime.

Investors

Rosebery

ahead on 3 of the 3 things we measure here

  • is growing faster (33.8% vs 16.8%)
  • returns a higher gross yield on houses (4.0% vs 3.0%)
  • returns a higher gross yield on units (5.8% vs 4.4%)

Weighs house yield, unit yield, and population growth.

Where they sit

Alexandria and Rosebery drawn to the same scale. Both outlines are shown together, so the map answers whether they share a border and how their areas compare.

Alexandria Rosebery
Hides rows where both suburbs match

Bars start at zero. Scores, risks and rankings are drawn against their full 0–100 range; other rows are drawn in proportion to the larger of the two.

Side by side, out of 100

Risks are inverted — shown as safety and low exposure — so a longer bar always means better.

Alexandria Rosebery
Walkability 96 / 92
Alexandria — Walkability: 96/100 Rosebery — Walkability: 92/100
Safety 15 / 46
Alexandria — Safety: 15/100 Rosebery — Safety: 46/100
Low fire risk 100 / 100
Alexandria — Low fire risk: 100/100 Rosebery — Low fire risk: 100/100

Demographics

Rosebery has more residents (13,533 vs 9,649); Alexandria has higher household incomes ($138,008 vs $118,248).

Alexandria Rosebery
Population 9,649 13,533
+40% vs other
Population trend (2016 → 2021) +16.8% +33.8%
Median age 34 33
Median household income $138,008/yr
+14% vs other
 $118,248/yr
Median weekly rent $560/wk $580/wk
+4% vs other

Age profile

Share of residents in each band, 2021 Census.

Alexandria Rosebery
0-4 4.9% / 5.9%
Alexandria — 0-4: 4.9% Rosebery — 0-4: 5.9%
5-14 6.2% / 6.1%
Alexandria — 5-14: 6.2% Rosebery — 5-14: 6.1%
15-19 1.8% / 3.4%
Alexandria — 15-19: 1.8% Rosebery — 15-19: 3.4%
20-24 6.0% / 9.6%
Alexandria — 20-24: 6.0% Rosebery — 20-24: 9.6%
25-34 32.6% / 29.4%
Alexandria — 25-34: 32.6% Rosebery — 25-34: 29.4%
35-44 21.9% / 17.4%
Alexandria — 35-44: 21.9% Rosebery — 35-44: 17.4%
45-54 12.9% / 10.3%
Alexandria — 45-54: 12.9% Rosebery — 45-54: 10.3%
55-64 7.6% / 7.4%
Alexandria — 55-64: 7.6% Rosebery — 55-64: 7.4%
65-74 4.1% / 5.4%
Alexandria — 65-74: 4.1% Rosebery — 65-74: 5.4%
75-84 1.6% / 3.8%
Alexandria — 75-84: 1.6% Rosebery — 75-84: 3.8%
85+ 0.5% / 1.4%
Alexandria — 85+: 0.5% Rosebery — 85+: 1.4%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (32.6%).

Who lives together

Household composition, 2021 Census.

Alexandria 52.6% lone person
Alexandria — Lone Person: 52.6% Alexandria — Couple Families: 24.1% Alexandria — Group Household: 15.3% Alexandria — One Parent Families: 6.3% Alexandria — Other Families: 1.6%
Rosebery 39.4% lone person
Rosebery — Lone Person: 39.4% Rosebery — Couple Families: 34.2% Rosebery — Group Household: 13.3% Rosebery — One Parent Families: 10.5% Rosebery — Other Families: 2.5%
Lone Person Couple Families Group Household One Parent Families Other Families

Who owns and who rents

Occupied private dwellings by tenure, 2021 Census.

Alexandria 52.8% renting
Alexandria — Owned Outright: 12.6% Alexandria — Mortgage: 34.6% Alexandria — Renting: 52.8%
Rosebery 52.0% renting
Rosebery — Owned Outright: 20.5% Rosebery — Mortgage: 27.5% Rosebery — Renting: 52.0%
Owned outright Mortgage Renting

Qualifications

Highest non-school qualification, residents 15+, 2021 Census.

Alexandria Rosebery
Bachelor Degree 33.3% / 25.6%
Alexandria — Bachelor Degree: 33.3% Rosebery — Bachelor Degree: 25.6%
Postgraduate Degree 14.8% / 12.2%
Alexandria — Postgraduate Degree: 14.8% Rosebery — Postgraduate Degree: 12.2%
Advanced Diploma / Diploma 8.2% / 8.2%
Alexandria — Advanced Diploma / Diploma: 8.2% Rosebery — Advanced Diploma / Diploma: 8.2%
Certificate III & IV 6.3% / 7.9%
Alexandria — Certificate III & IV: 6.3% Rosebery — Certificate III & IV: 7.9%
Graduate Diploma / Certificate 3.3% / 1.8%
Alexandria — Graduate Diploma / Certificate: 3.3% Rosebery — Graduate Diploma / Certificate: 1.8%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (33.3%).

Where residents were born

Largest overseas birthplaces, as a share of all residents, 2021 Census. A dash means that country is not among the suburb's own eight largest.

Alexandria Rosebery
China 2.6% / 10.8%
Alexandria — China: 2.6% Rosebery — China: 10.8%
England 5.1% / 3.7%
Alexandria — England: 5.1% Rosebery — England: 3.7%
New Zealand 3.3% / 2.0%
Alexandria — New Zealand: 3.3% Rosebery — New Zealand: 2.0%
Ireland 1.1% / 2.6%
Alexandria — Ireland: 1.1% Rosebery — Ireland: 2.6%
Indonesia 1.2% / 2.3%
Alexandria — Indonesia: 1.2% Rosebery — Indonesia: 2.3%
Greece — / 2.7%
Alexandria — Greece: not among its largest Rosebery — Greece: 2.7%
India 1.1% / 1.5%
Alexandria — India: 1.1% Rosebery — India: 1.5%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (10.8%).

What people live in

Occupied private dwellings by structure, 2021 Census.

Alexandria 66.2% flats / apartments
Alexandria — Flats / Apartments: 66.2% Alexandria — Townhouses: 29.0% Alexandria — Houses: 4.7%
Rosebery 72.2% flats / apartments
Rosebery — Flats / Apartments: 72.2% Rosebery — Townhouses: 4.8% Rosebery — Houses: 23.1%
Flats / Apartments Townhouses Houses

Property market

Alexandria Rosebery
Median house price $2,236,000 $2,515,000
Median unit price $955,000 $900,000
Median land price —
same for both
Typical days to sell (houses) 23 days
from 55 sales
 25 days
from 39 sales

House price by bedroom count

Only bed counts both suburbs published enough sales for. Sale counts are shown because the buckets differ in depth.

Alexandria Rosebery
2 bed $1.85M / $2.12M
Alexandria — 2 bed: $1.85M (31 sales) Rosebery — 2 bed: $2.12M (7 sales)

31 vs 7 sales

3 bed $2.37M / $2.37M
Alexandria — 3 bed: $2.37M (38 sales) Rosebery — 3 bed: $2.37M (20 sales)

38 vs 20 sales

4 bed $2.81M / $2.65M
Alexandria — 4 bed: $2.81M (17 sales) Rosebery — 4 bed: $2.65M (11 sales)

17 vs 11 sales

Unit price by bedroom count

Only bed counts both suburbs published enough sales for. Sale counts are shown because the buckets differ in depth.

Alexandria Rosebery
1 bed $715K / $675K
Alexandria — 1 bed: $715K (81 sales) Rosebery — 1 bed: $675K (73 sales)

81 vs 73 sales

2 bed $1.1M / $928K
Alexandria — 2 bed: $1.1M (95 sales) Rosebery — 2 bed: $928K (127 sales)

95 vs 127 sales

3 bed $1.73M / $1.37M
Alexandria — 3 bed: $1.73M (28 sales) Rosebery — 3 bed: $1.37M (43 sales)

28 vs 43 sales

Zoning mix

Alexandria has more industrially zoned land (58% vs 10%).

Alexandria Rosebery
Residential 21% 75%
Industrial 58% 10%
Parks and recreation 13% 3%
Infrastructure and transport 7%
same for both
Commercial 0% 3%
Other and special use 0% 3%
Zoning sets what may be built, not what is there today. A single address can sit in a different zone to the suburb around it. Zones as at 2026-09.

Development activity

Alexandria Rosebery
New dwellings approved 2,350
across Sydney
same for both
Approvals change year on year +929%
same for both

Gross rental yield

Gross — before strata, rates, management, insurance and vacancy. From median advertised rents and median asking prices over the last 6 months. How we calculate.

Alexandria Rosebery
Houses 3.0%
$1,200/wk on $2.05M
 4.0%
$1,350/wk on $1.77M
Units 4.4%
$800/wk on $950K
 5.8%
$992/wk on $890K

Ranking within NSW

Alexandria Rosebery
House price Higher than 87% of NSW Higher than 89% of NSW
Income Higher than 91% of NSW Higher than 83% of NSW
Schools — Higher than 13% of NSW
Walkability Higher than 98% of NSW Higher than 97% of NSW
Affordability Higher than 31% of NSW Higher than 16% of NSW
EV adoption Higher than 100% of NSW Higher than 94% of NSW
NBN connectivity Higher than 72% of NSW Higher than 85% of NSW
Rental yield (houses) Higher than 23% of NSW Higher than 71% of NSW
Rental yield (units) Higher than 39% of NSW Higher than 92% of NSW

Liveability

Alexandria scores higher overall (82 vs 68).

Alexandria Rosebery
Grade A B
Score 82/100 68/100
Socio-economic band very advantaged area
decile 10/10
same for both

Risk profile

Alexandria carries more crime risk (85 vs 54).

Alexandria Rosebery
Bushfire None
0/100
same for both
Crime High
85/100
 Moderate
54/100
Flood Not mapped
no mapped data here
same for both
Coastal erosion None
0/100
same for both
Aircraft noise None
0/100
same for both
Industrial facilities nearby 12
within 5 km
 20
within 5 km

Schools

Alexandria Rosebery
Inside the suburb 2 3
Rated above peers 1 0
Rated at peers 0 1
Rated below peers 1
same for both
Universities within 10 km 3
The University of Sydney, 2.6 km
 3
The University of New South Wales, 1.6 km
Full-time students aged 15–24 1.9% 5.1%

Schools in Alexandria

  • Alexandria Park Community School Government · Combined above peers
  • Central Sydney Intensive English High School Government · Secondary below peers

Schools in Rosebery

  • St Therese Catholic Primary School Catholic · Primary at peers
  • Gardeners Road Public School Government · Primary below peers
  • St Joseph's Catholic Primary School Catholic · Primary

Amenities in the suburb

Alexandria Rosebery
Supermarkets 4
same for both
Cafes & restaurants 41 25
Parks & reserves 12 13
Childcare 12 10
GPs 3
same for both
Pharmacies 4 2
Police stations 0 1
Banks & Bank@Post 2 1
Fuel stations 4 2
Waterways 3 1

Mobility

Alexandria Rosebery
Walkability score 96/100 92/100
Distance to Sydney 6.7 km 7.7 km
+15% vs other
Drive time (normal traffic) 17 min 14 min
Public transport score 94/100
Rail · Bus
 79/100
Bus
Peak arrivals per hour 383.0
7-9am + 5-7pm
 411.8
7-9am + 5-7pm
Median peak wait 0 min
scheduled, not actual
same for both
Electric vehicle share 4.9%
postcode 2015
 2.1%
postcode 2018
Rooftop solar per 100 dwellings 9
postcode 2015
 8
postcode 2018

How people get to work

Method of travel on census day 2021 — which fell during COVID restrictions, so working from home is inflated and every travel mode understated.

Alexandria Rosebery
Worked from Home 66.3% / 53.6%
Alexandria — Worked from Home: 66.3% Rosebery — Worked from Home: 53.6%
Car (driver) 17.9% / 30.3%
Alexandria — Car (driver): 17.9% Rosebery — Car (driver): 30.3%
Walked Only 5.4% / 4.4%
Alexandria — Walked Only: 5.4% Rosebery — Walked Only: 4.4%
Train 5.6% / 3.2%
Alexandria — Train: 5.6% Rosebery — Train: 3.2%
Bus 1.5% / 3.9%
Alexandria — Bus: 1.5% Rosebery — Bus: 3.9%
Car (passenger) 1.2% / 3.3%
Alexandria — Car (passenger): 1.2% Rosebery — Car (passenger): 3.3%
Bicycle 2.2% / 1.2%
Alexandria — Bicycle: 2.2% Rosebery — Bicycle: 1.2%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (66.3%).

Setting

Alexandria Rosebery
Elevation 5 m
above sea level, at the suburb centre
 17 m
above sea level, at the suburb centre
Distance to the ocean 4.5 km 4.0 km
4.9 km to a named beach

NBN connectivity

Alexandria Rosebery
Connectivity score 64/100 76/100
Most common technology Fibre to the node Fibre to the premises
Full-fibre (FTTP) share 20%
8,005 premises
 30%
6,540 premises

Climate

Alexandria Rosebery
Annual rainfall 1,129 mm
same for both
Summer max (Jan) 27.5°C
same for both
Winter min (Jul) 9.5°C
same for both

Air quality (annual mean)

Alexandria Rosebery
PM2.5 5.3 µg/m³
same for both
PM10 12.9 µg/m³
same for both
NO₂ 0.73 pphm
same for both

Council rates

Alexandria Rosebery
Average residential rate $875/yr
same for both
Council Sydney
same for both

Federal electorate

Alexandria Rosebery
Division Sydney
same for both
Member Tanya Plibersek
same for both
Party Australian Labor Party
same for both

First Home Owner Grant

Alexandria Rosebery
Grant amount $10,000
same for both
Property price cap $600,000
same for both
Eligibility New
same for both

Tags

Alexandria

Apartments Easy Commute Inner Parks Professionals Townhouses Transport Hub

Rosebery

Apartments Cafe Culture Inner Multicultural Parks Professionals Urban

More comparisons

Other comparisons with Alexandria

Alexandria vs Mascot Alexandria vs Waterloo Alexandria vs Redfern Alexandria vs Zetland Alexandria vs Erskineville Alexandria vs St Peters

Other comparisons with Rosebery

Rosebery vs Mascot Rosebery vs Zetland Rosebery vs Kensington Rosebery vs Eastlakes Rosebery vs Beaconsfield
Full data on Alexandria Full data on Rosebery
Unlock full address-level data — $29/month

Information shown is provided as-is from Australian government and commercial data sources.
Always verify with the relevant authority before making property decisions.
See Data Sources and How We Calculate for details.

Save this page for later

We'll email you a link to this page so you can finish reading it on any device. We use your address once to send it and don't keep it.

or