Balcatta vs Westminster

Westminster is the younger of the two, with a median age of 34 against 39 in Balcatta. In Balcatta, most households own their home and about half of households are people living alone. In Westminster, about half of households rent and most homes are detached houses. Houses cost more in Balcatta: a median of $952,000, against $774,000 in Westminster. Westminster is closer to the city centre: 12.6 km, against 14.9 km. On these figures, Balcatta tends to suit older residents, while Westminster suits renters and buyers on a tighter budget.

Balcatta is a larger, more established suburb with a median household income of $79,924 compared to Westminster's $73,008, and scores notably higher on liveability (67 vs 53). However, Westminster is closer to the CBD at 12.6 km and significantly more walkable with a score of 84 versus Balcatta's 72. Property prices are higher in Balcatta—median houses at $944,000 versus $773,000—though Westminster offers better gross rental yields on houses at 5.0 percent. Balcatta carries higher crime and bushfire risk ratings, while Westminster has minimal bushfire risk and lower crime, making it potentially more appealing if safety and walkability are priorities.

Written by an AI language model from the figures below. Every number in it is checked against those figures before it is published.

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

Balcatta

ahead on 2 of the 6 things we measure here

  • has more schools rated above their peers (3 vs 0)
  • has more parks and reserves (17 vs 6)
  • But Westminster carries lower crime risk (70/100 vs 81/100)

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

First-home buyers

Westminster

ahead on 2 of the 3 things we measure here

  • has cheaper houses ($774,500 vs $952,000)
  • has cheaper units ($595,000 vs $665,000)

Weighs house prices, unit prices, and mortgage stress.

Renters

Westminster

ahead on the one thing that separates them

  • has a bigger rental market to choose from (45% vs 32%)

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

Commuting to the city

Westminster

ahead on 2 of the 4 things we measure here

  • sits closer to the CBD (12.6 km vs 14.9 km)
  • is more walkable (84/100 vs 72/100)

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

Downsizers and retirees

Westminster

ahead on 2 of the 5 things we measure here

  • is more walkable (84/100 vs 72/100)
  • carries lower crime risk (70/100 vs 81/100)
  • But Balcatta has more residents already 65 and over (20% vs 12%)

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

Investors

Westminster

ahead on 2 of the 3 things we measure here

  • is growing faster (13.5% vs 4.2%)
  • returns a higher gross yield on houses (5.1% vs 4.5%)

Weighs house yield, unit yield, and population growth.

Where they sit

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

Balcatta Westminster
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.

Balcatta Westminster
Walkability 72 / 84
Balcatta — Walkability: 72/100 Westminster — Walkability: 84/100
Safety 19 / 30
Balcatta — Safety: 19/100 Westminster — Safety: 30/100
Low fire risk 77 / 100
Balcatta — Low fire risk: 77/100 Westminster — Low fire risk: 100/100
Low flood risk 100 / 100
Balcatta — Low flood risk: 100/100 Westminster — Low flood risk: 100/100

Demographics

Balcatta has more residents (10,813 vs 7,042); Balcatta skews older (39 vs 34).

Balcatta Westminster
Population 10,813
+35% vs other
 7,042
Population trend (2016 → 2021) +4.2% +13.5%
Median age 39 34
Median household income $79,924/yr
+9% vs other
 $73,008/yr
Median weekly rent $340/wk
+3% vs other
 $330/wk

Age profile

Share of residents in each band, 2021 Census.

Balcatta Westminster
0-4 5.9% / 8.3%
Balcatta — 0-4: 5.9% Westminster — 0-4: 8.3%
5-14 9.6% / 10.2%
Balcatta — 5-14: 9.6% Westminster — 5-14: 10.2%
15-19 4.3% / 3.9%
Balcatta — 15-19: 4.3% Westminster — 15-19: 3.9%
20-24 5.2% / 6.5%
Balcatta — 20-24: 5.2% Westminster — 20-24: 6.5%
25-34 16.7% / 22.0%
Balcatta — 25-34: 16.7% Westminster — 25-34: 22.0%
35-44 15.8% / 17.6%
Balcatta — 35-44: 15.8% Westminster — 35-44: 17.6%
45-54 11.9% / 10.3%
Balcatta — 45-54: 11.9% Westminster — 45-54: 10.3%
55-64 10.1% / 9.0%
Balcatta — 55-64: 10.1% Westminster — 55-64: 9.0%
65-74 9.0% / 6.4%
Balcatta — 65-74: 9.0% Westminster — 65-74: 6.4%
75-84 7.5% / 4.4%
Balcatta — 75-84: 7.5% Westminster — 75-84: 4.4%
85+ 4.0% / 1.4%
Balcatta — 85+: 4.0% Westminster — 85+: 1.4%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (22.0%).

Who lives together

Household composition, 2021 Census.

Balcatta 46.4% lone person
Balcatta — Lone Person: 46.4% Balcatta — Couple Families: 32.7% Balcatta — One Parent Families: 14.3% Balcatta — Group Household: 4.7% Balcatta — Other Families: 1.9%
Westminster 40.2% lone person
Westminster — Lone Person: 40.2% Westminster — Couple Families: 32.4% Westminster — One Parent Families: 17.5% Westminster — Group Household: 7.3% Westminster — Other Families: 2.7%
Lone Person Couple Families One Parent Families Group Household Other Families

Who owns and who rents

Occupied private dwellings by tenure, 2021 Census.

Balcatta 32.4% renting
Balcatta — Owned Outright: 32.9% Balcatta — Mortgage: 34.7% Balcatta — Renting: 32.4%
Westminster 45.3% renting
Westminster — Owned Outright: 19.1% Westminster — Mortgage: 35.6% Westminster — Renting: 45.3%
Owned outright Mortgage Renting

Qualifications

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

Balcatta Westminster
Bachelor Degree 14.5% / 13.3%
Balcatta — Bachelor Degree: 14.5% Westminster — Bachelor Degree: 13.3%
Certificate III & IV 13.5% / 12.0%
Balcatta — Certificate III & IV: 13.5% Westminster — Certificate III & IV: 12.0%
Advanced Diploma / Diploma 8.1% / 8.8%
Balcatta — Advanced Diploma / Diploma: 8.1% Westminster — Advanced Diploma / Diploma: 8.8%
Postgraduate Degree 3.8% / 4.5%
Balcatta — Postgraduate Degree: 3.8% Westminster — Postgraduate Degree: 4.5%
Graduate Diploma / Certificate 1.7% / 1.6%
Balcatta — Graduate Diploma / Certificate: 1.7% Westminster — Graduate Diploma / Certificate: 1.6%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (14.5%).

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.

Balcatta Westminster
India 3.8% / 9.0%
Balcatta — India: 3.8% Westminster — India: 9.0%
Italy 5.2% / 1.4%
Balcatta — Italy: 5.2% Westminster — Italy: 1.4%
England 3.2% / 2.5%
Balcatta — England: 3.2% Westminster — England: 2.5%
Philippines 1.1% / 2.7%
Balcatta — Philippines: 1.1% Westminster — Philippines: 2.7%
Vietnam 1.1% / 2.5%
Balcatta — Vietnam: 1.1% Westminster — Vietnam: 2.5%
New Zealand 1.5% / 2.0%
Balcatta — New Zealand: 1.5% Westminster — New Zealand: 2.0%
Greece 1.3% / —
Balcatta — Greece: 1.3% Westminster — Greece: not among its largest

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (9.0%).

What people live in

Occupied private dwellings by structure, 2021 Census.

Balcatta 53.0% houses
Balcatta — Houses: 53.0% Balcatta — Townhouses: 46.5% Balcatta — Flats / Apartments: 0.5%
Westminster 62.8% houses
Westminster — Houses: 62.8% Westminster — Townhouses: 35.7% Westminster — Flats / Apartments: 1.5%
Houses Townhouses Flats / Apartments

Property market

Balcatta Westminster
Median house price $952,000 $774,500
Median unit price $665,000 $595,000
Median land price $768,000 —
Typical days to sell (houses) 26 days
from 96 sales
 20 days
from 83 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.

Balcatta Westminster
2 bed $575K / $555K
Balcatta — 2 bed: $575K (14 sales) Westminster — 2 bed: $555K (21 sales)

14 vs 21 sales

3 bed $792K / $730K
Balcatta — 3 bed: $792K (12 sales) Westminster — 3 bed: $730K (13 sales)

12 vs 13 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.

Balcatta Westminster
2 bed $646K / $701K
Balcatta — 2 bed: $646K (12 sales) Westminster — 2 bed: $701K (17 sales)

12 vs 17 sales

3 bed $908K / $770K
Balcatta — 3 bed: $908K (101 sales) Westminster — 3 bed: $770K (121 sales)

101 vs 121 sales

4 bed $1.32M / $858K
Balcatta — 4 bed: $1.32M (36 sales) Westminster — 4 bed: $858K (18 sales)

36 vs 18 sales

Development activity

Balcatta Westminster
New dwellings approved 1,557
across Stirling
same for both
Approvals change year on year +23%
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.

Balcatta Westminster
Houses 4.5%
$778/wk on $899K
 5.1%
$780/wk on $799K
Units 5.9%
$712/wk on $624K
 5.6%
$788/wk on $738K

Ranking within WA

Balcatta Westminster
House price —
same for both
Income Higher than 42% of WA Higher than 35% of WA
Schools Higher than 88% of WA Higher than 15% of WA
Walkability Higher than 91% of WA Higher than 97% of WA
Affordability —
same for both
EV adoption Higher than 91% of WA Higher than 72% of WA
NBN connectivity Higher than 83% of WA Higher than 81% of WA
Rental yield (houses) Higher than 58% of WA Higher than 85% of WA
Rental yield (units) Higher than 77% of WA Higher than 56% of WA

Liveability

Balcatta scores higher overall (67 vs 53); Westminster is more walkable (84 vs 72).

Balcatta Westminster
Grade B
same for both
Score 67/100 53/100
Socio-economic band mid-range socio-economic
decile 6/10
 below-average income
decile 2/10

Risk profile

Balcatta carries more bushfire risk (23 vs 0); Balcatta carries more crime risk (81 vs 70).

Balcatta Westminster
Bushfire Low
23/100
 None
0/100
Crime High
81/100
 High
70/100
Flood None
0/100
same for both
Coastal erosion None
0/100
same for both
Aircraft noise None
0/100
same for both
Industrial facilities nearby 4
within 5 km
 3
within 5 km

Schools

Balcatta Westminster
Inside the suburb 5 3
Rated above peers 3 0
Rated at peers 2 1
Rated below peers 0 1
Universities within 10 km 2
ECU City Campus, 9.9 km
 2
ECU City Campus, 9.8 km
Full-time students aged 15–24 1.8% 1.7%

Schools in Balcatta

  • Balcatta Primary School Government · Primary above peers
  • St Lawrence Primary School Catholic · Primary above peers
  • West Balcatta Primary School Government · Primary above peers
  • Balcatta Senior High School Government · Secondary at peers
  • Takari Primary School Government · Primary at peers

Schools in Westminster

  • Westminster Primary School Government · Primary at peers
  • St Gerard's Catholic Primary School Catholic · Primary below peers
  • Westminster Education Support Centre Government · Primary · Special school

Amenities in the suburb

Balcatta Westminster
Supermarkets 4
same for both
Cafes & restaurants 1 3
Parks & reserves 17 6
Childcare 5
same for both
GPs 6 5
Pharmacies 2
same for both
Banks & Bank@Post 2 1
Fuel stations 2 1
EV chargers 2 0

Mobility

Balcatta sits further from the CBD (14.9 km vs 12.6 km).

Balcatta Westminster
Walkability score 72/100 84/100
Distance to Perth 14.9 km
+15% vs other
 12.6 km
Drive time (normal traffic) 17 min 18 min
Public transport score 94/100
Bus
same for both
Peak arrivals per hour 308.0
7-9am + 5-7pm
 230.5
7-9am + 5-7pm
Median peak wait 0 min
scheduled, not actual
same for both
Electric vehicle share 1.6%
postcode 6021
 0.8%
postcode 6061
Rooftop solar per 100 dwellings 44
postcode 6021
 29
postcode 6061

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.

Balcatta Westminster
Car (driver) 78.7% / 78.0%
Balcatta — Car (driver): 78.7% Westminster — Car (driver): 78.0%
Worked from Home 7.3% / 5.5%
Balcatta — Worked from Home: 7.3% Westminster — Worked from Home: 5.5%
Car (passenger) 4.8% / 5.6%
Balcatta — Car (passenger): 4.8% Westminster — Car (passenger): 5.6%
Bus 3.3% / 6.7%
Balcatta — Bus: 3.3% Westminster — Bus: 6.7%
Train 4.3% / 2.8%
Balcatta — Train: 4.3% Westminster — Train: 2.8%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (78.7%).

Setting

Balcatta Westminster
Elevation 29 m
above sea level, at the suburb centre
 47 m
above sea level, at the suburb centre
Distance to the ocean 6.3 km 8.2 km

NBN connectivity

Balcatta Westminster
Connectivity score 70/100 68/100
Most common technology Fibre to the node
same for both
Full-fibre (FTTP) share 37%
6,840 premises
 42%
3,521 premises

Climate

Balcatta Westminster
Annual rainfall 650 mm
same for both
Summer max (Jan) —
same for both
Winter min (Jul) —
same for both

Council rates

Balcatta Westminster
Average residential rate $1,615/yr
same for both
Council Stirling
same for both

Federal electorate

Balcatta Westminster
Division Cowan
same for both
Member Anne Aly
same for both
Party Australian Labor Party
same for both

First Home Owner Grant

Balcatta Westminster
Grant amount $10,000
same for both
Property price cap $800,000
same for both
Eligibility New
same for both

Tags

Balcatta

Easy Commute Middle-Ring Parks Townhouses Transport Hub

Westminster

Easy Commute Middle-Ring Multicultural Parks Townhouses Transport Hub Urban

More comparisons

Other comparisons with Balcatta

Balcatta vs Balga Balcatta vs Nollamara Balcatta vs Yokine Balcatta vs Stirling Balcatta vs Tuart Hill Balcatta vs Carine

Other comparisons with Westminster

Westminster vs Dianella Westminster vs Balga Westminster vs Nollamara Westminster vs Mirrabooka Westminster vs Hamersley
Full data on Balcatta Full data on Westminster
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.

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