Balga vs Koondoola

Balga is the younger of the two, with a median age of 32 against 35 in Koondoola. In both, most homes are detached houses. In Balga, about half of households rent. In Koondoola, most households own their home. Balga is closer to the city centre: 13.6 km, against 22.9 km. On these figures, Balga tends to suit renters and 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

Balga

ahead on 3 of the 6 things we measure here

  • has more childcare (10 vs 2)
  • has more schools rated above their peers (3 vs 1)
  • has more parks and reserves (15 vs 7)
  • But Koondoola has more separate houses rather than flats (86% vs 67%)

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

First-home buyers

Koondoola

ahead on the one thing that separates them

  • has cheaper land ($362,500 vs $635,000)

Weighs house prices, unit prices, land prices, and mortgage stress.

Renters

They split

one each way, out of the 3 things we measure here

  • Balga has a bigger rental market to choose from (50% vs 36%)
  • Koondoola has cheaper rent ($285/wk vs $310/wk)

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

Commuting to the city

Balga

ahead on 3 of the 4 things we measure here

  • sits closer to the CBD (13.6 km vs 22.9 km)
  • is more walkable (80/100 vs 60/100)
  • has a shorter drive in (20 min vs 26 min)

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

Downsizers and retirees

Balga

ahead on 2 of the 5 things we measure here

  • has more units and townhouses to downsize into (32% vs 14%)
  • is more walkable (80/100 vs 60/100)

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

Investors

Balga

ahead on the one thing that separates them

  • is growing faster (9.3% vs -3.4%)

Weighs house yield and population growth.

Where they sit

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

Balga Koondoola
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.

Balga Koondoola
Walkability 80 / 60
Balga — Walkability: 80/100 Koondoola — Walkability: 60/100
Safety 23 / 20
Balga — Safety: 23/100 Koondoola — Safety: 20/100
Low fire risk 62 / 50
Balga — Low fire risk: 62/100 Koondoola — Low fire risk: 50/100
Low flood risk 100 / 100
Balga — Low flood risk: 100/100 Koondoola — Low flood risk: 100/100

Demographics

Balga has more residents (13,864 vs 3,919); Koondoola skews older (35 vs 32).

Balga Koondoola
Population 13,864
+72% vs other
 3,919
Population trend (2016 → 2021) +9.3% -3.4%
Median age 32 35
Median household income $67,548/yr
+9% vs other
 $61,620/yr
Median weekly rent $310/wk
+8% vs other
 $285/wk

Age profile

Share of residents in each band, 2021 Census.

Balga Koondoola
0-4 8.6% / 6.5%
Balga — 0-4: 8.6% Koondoola — 0-4: 6.5%
5-14 12.4% / 14.1%
Balga — 5-14: 12.4% Koondoola — 5-14: 14.1%
15-19 4.2% / 6.9%
Balga — 15-19: 4.2% Koondoola — 15-19: 6.9%
20-24 7.4% / 8.6%
Balga — 20-24: 7.4% Koondoola — 20-24: 8.6%
25-34 21.6% / 12.8%
Balga — 25-34: 21.6% Koondoola — 25-34: 12.8%
35-44 15.9% / 13.2%
Balga — 35-44: 15.9% Koondoola — 35-44: 13.2%
45-54 10.4% / 12.2%
Balga — 45-54: 10.4% Koondoola — 45-54: 12.2%
55-64 8.1% / 10.0%
Balga — 55-64: 8.1% Koondoola — 55-64: 10.0%
65-74 6.5% / 9.3%
Balga — 65-74: 6.5% Koondoola — 65-74: 9.3%
75-84 3.8% / 4.8%
Balga — 75-84: 3.8% Koondoola — 75-84: 4.8%
85+ 0.9% / 1.2%
Balga — 85+: 0.9% Koondoola — 85+: 1.2%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (21.6%).

Who lives together

Household composition, 2021 Census.

Balga 39.8% lone person
Balga — Lone Person: 39.8% Balga — Couple Families: 30.1% Balga — One Parent Families: 20.0% Balga — Group Household: 7.5% Balga — Other Families: 2.6%
Koondoola 31.1% lone person
Koondoola — Lone Person: 31.1% Koondoola — Couple Families: 38.0% Koondoola — One Parent Families: 24.3% Koondoola — Group Household: 3.8% Koondoola — Other Families: 2.8%
Lone Person Couple Families One Parent Families Group Household Other Families

Who owns and who rents

Occupied private dwellings by tenure, 2021 Census.

Balga 49.7% renting
Balga — Owned Outright: 15.7% Balga — Mortgage: 34.6% Balga — Renting: 49.7%
Koondoola 35.6% renting
Koondoola — Owned Outright: 27.5% Koondoola — Mortgage: 37.0% Koondoola — Renting: 35.6%
Owned outright Mortgage Renting

Qualifications

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

Balga Koondoola
Certificate III & IV 12.6% / 12.4%
Balga — Certificate III & IV: 12.6% Koondoola — Certificate III & IV: 12.4%
Bachelor Degree 10.1% / 5.3%
Balga — Bachelor Degree: 10.1% Koondoola — Bachelor Degree: 5.3%
Advanced Diploma / Diploma 7.7% / 4.7%
Balga — Advanced Diploma / Diploma: 7.7% Koondoola — Advanced Diploma / Diploma: 4.7%
Postgraduate Degree 3.5% / 1.4%
Balga — Postgraduate Degree: 3.5% Koondoola — Postgraduate Degree: 1.4%
Graduate Diploma / Certificate 0.9% / 0.6%
Balga — Graduate Diploma / Certificate: 0.9% Koondoola — Graduate Diploma / Certificate: 0.6%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (12.6%).

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.

Balga Koondoola
Myanmar 2.5% / 8.4%
Balga — Myanmar: 2.5% Koondoola — Myanmar: 8.4%
Vietnam 3.4% / 6.8%
Balga — Vietnam: 3.4% Koondoola — Vietnam: 6.8%
India 6.1% / 2.0%
Balga — India: 6.1% Koondoola — India: 2.0%
England 2.8% / 3.3%
Balga — England: 2.8% Koondoola — England: 3.3%
New Zealand 2.3% / 1.9%
Balga — New Zealand: 2.3% Koondoola — New Zealand: 1.9%
Thailand — / 2.7%
Balga — Thailand: not among its largest Koondoola — Thailand: 2.7%
Afghanistan — / 2.1%
Balga — Afghanistan: not among its largest Koondoola — Afghanistan: 2.1%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (8.4%).

What people live in

Occupied private dwellings by structure, 2021 Census.

Balga 67.4% houses
Balga — Houses: 67.4% Balga — Townhouses: 29.1% Balga — Flats / Apartments: 3.4%
Koondoola 85.9% houses
Koondoola — Houses: 85.9% Koondoola — Townhouses: 13.9% Koondoola — Flats / Apartments: 0.2%
Houses Townhouses Flats / Apartments

Property market

Balga Koondoola
Median house price $727,000 $735,000
Median unit price $585,000 $639,000
Median land price $635,000 $362,500
Typical days to sell (houses) 39 days
from 215 sales
 15 days
from 19 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.

Balga Koondoola
3 bed $725K / $735K
Balga — 3 bed: $725K (283 sales) Koondoola — 3 bed: $735K (68 sales)

283 vs 68 sales

4 bed $795K / $750K
Balga — 4 bed: $795K (39 sales) Koondoola — 4 bed: $750K (13 sales)

39 vs 13 sales

Development activity

Balga Koondoola
New dwellings approved 1,557
across Stirling
 4,125
across Wanneroo
Approvals change year on year +23% +17%

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.

Balga Koondoola
Houses 5.1%
$735/wk on $749K
 4.7%
$700/wk on $774K
Units 4.9%
$608/wk on $650K
 —

Ranking within WA

Balga Koondoola
House price —
same for both
Income Higher than 25% of WA Higher than 18% of WA
Schools Higher than 81% of WA Higher than 51% of WA
Walkability Higher than 95% of WA Higher than 86% of WA
Affordability —
same for both
EV adoption Higher than 72% of WA Higher than 59% of WA
NBN connectivity Higher than 82% of WA Higher than 87% of WA
Rental yield (houses) Higher than 86% of WA Higher than 72% of WA
Rental yield (units) Higher than 26% of WA —

Liveability

Balga scores higher overall (56 vs 38); Balga is more walkable (80 vs 60).

Balga Koondoola
Grade B C
Score 56/100 38/100
Socio-economic band below-average income
decile 2/10
 high-need area
decile 1/10

Risk profile

Koondoola carries more bushfire risk (50 vs 38).

Balga Koondoola
Bushfire Low
38/100
 Moderate
50/100
Crime High
77/100
 High
80/100
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
 9
within 5 km

Schools

Balga Koondoola
Inside the suburb 7 4
Rated above peers 3 1
Rated at peers 0 1
Rated below peers 2 1

Schools in Balga

  • Balga Primary School Government · Primary above peers
  • North Balga Primary School Government · Primary above peers
  • Warriapendi Primary School Government · Primary above peers
  • Balga Senior High School Government · Secondary below peers
  • Majella Catholic Primary School Catholic · Primary below peers
  • Gladys Newton School Government · Combined · Special school

Schools in Koondoola

  • Mercy College Catholic · Combined above peers
  • Koondoola Primary School Government · Primary at peers
  • Waddington Primary School Government · Primary below peers
  • Burbridge School Government · Combined · Special school

Amenities in the suburb

Balga Koondoola
Supermarkets 1 0
Cafes & restaurants 2 1
Parks & reserves 15 7
Childcare 10 2
GPs 2
same for both
Pharmacies 2 1
Fuel stations 1 0

Mobility

Koondoola sits further from the CBD (22.9 km vs 13.6 km).

Balga Koondoola
Walkability score 80/100 60/100
Distance to Perth 13.6 km 22.9 km
+68% vs other
Drive time (normal traffic) 20 min 26 min
Public transport score 94/100
Bus
same for both
Peak arrivals per hour 288.2
7-9am + 5-7pm
 109.0
7-9am + 5-7pm
Median peak wait 0 min
scheduled, not actual
same for both
Electric vehicle share 0.8%
postcode 6061
 0.5%
postcode 6064
Rooftop solar per 100 dwellings 29
postcode 6061
 54
postcode 6064

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.

Balga Koondoola
Car (driver) 81.1% / 80.5%
Balga — Car (driver): 81.1% Koondoola — Car (driver): 80.5%
Car (passenger) 5.9% / 7.9%
Balga — Car (passenger): 5.9% Koondoola — Car (passenger): 7.9%
Bus 4.6% / 3.9%
Balga — Bus: 4.6% Koondoola — Bus: 3.9%
Worked from Home 4.4% / 3.3%
Balga — Worked from Home: 4.4% Koondoola — Worked from Home: 3.3%
Train 3.4% / 2.7%
Balga — Train: 3.4% Koondoola — Train: 2.7%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (81.1%).

Setting

Balga Koondoola
Elevation 60 m
above sea level, at the suburb centre
 83 m
above sea level, at the suburb centre
Distance to the ocean 8.3 km 10.9 km

NBN connectivity

Balga Koondoola
Connectivity score 70/100 75/100
Most common technology Fibre to the node Fibre to the premises
Full-fibre (FTTP) share 45%
6,850 premises
 53%
1,629 premises

Climate

Balga Koondoola
Annual rainfall 650 mm 663 mm
Summer max (Jan) — 32.3°C
Winter min (Jul) — 8.5°C

Council rates

Balga Koondoola
Average residential rate $1,615/yr $2,060/yr
Council Stirling Wanneroo

Federal electorate

Balga Koondoola
Division Cowan
same for both
Member Anne Aly
same for both
Party Australian Labor Party
same for both

First Home Owner Grant

Balga Koondoola
Grant amount $10,000
same for both
Property price cap $800,000
same for both
Eligibility New
same for both

Tags

Balga

Easy Commute Middle-Ring Multicultural Parks Townhouses Transport Hub Young Families

Koondoola

Easy Commute Large Blocks Middle-Ring Multicultural Parks Quiet Transport Hub

More comparisons

Other comparisons with Balga

Balga vs Balcatta Balga vs Girrawheen Balga vs Mirrabooka Balga vs Westminster Balga vs Hamersley

Other comparisons with Koondoola

Koondoola vs Ballajura Koondoola vs Marangaroo Koondoola vs Girrawheen Koondoola vs Mirrabooka Koondoola vs Alexander Heights
Full data on Balga Full data on Koondoola
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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