Balmoral vs Hawthorne

In both, most households own their home, most homes are detached houses, and about half of households are couple families. Houses cost more in Hawthorne: a median of $2.55 million, against $2.08 million in Balmoral. Hawthorne is closer to the city centre: 7.1 km, against 8.7 km. On these figures, Balmoral tends to suit buyers on a tighter budget.

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

Balmoral

ahead on the one thing that separates them

  • has more parks and reserves (7 vs 2)

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

First-home buyers

Balmoral

ahead on the one thing that separates them

  • has cheaper houses ($2,080,000 vs $2,550,000)

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

Balmoral

ahead on the one thing that separates them

  • has more GPs (2 vs 0)

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

Investors

Balmoral

ahead on 2 of the 2 things we measure here

  • is growing faster (7.2% vs 2.0%)
  • returns a higher gross yield on houses (4.5% vs 3.0%)

Weighs house yield and population growth.

Where they sit

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

Balmoral Hawthorne
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.

Balmoral Hawthorne
Walkability 75 / 71
Balmoral — Walkability: 75/100 Hawthorne — Walkability: 71/100
Safety 44 / 38
Balmoral — Safety: 44/100 Hawthorne — Safety: 38/100
Low fire risk 100 / 100
Balmoral — Low fire risk: 100/100 Hawthorne — Low fire risk: 100/100

Demographics

Hawthorne has higher household incomes ($157,508 vs $138,892).

Balmoral Hawthorne
Population 4,173 5,090
+22% vs other
Population trend (2016 → 2021) +7.2% +2.0%
Median age 37
same for both
Median household income $138,892/yr $157,508/yr
+13% vs other
Median weekly rent $450/wk
+4% vs other
 $430/wk

Age profile

Share of residents in each band, 2021 Census.

Balmoral Hawthorne
0-4 5.7% / 5.2%
Balmoral — 0-4: 5.7% Hawthorne — 0-4: 5.2%
5-14 14.4% / 14.5%
Balmoral — 5-14: 14.4% Hawthorne — 5-14: 14.5%
15-19 5.9% / 7.2%
Balmoral — 15-19: 5.9% Hawthorne — 15-19: 7.2%
20-24 5.8% / 6.3%
Balmoral — 20-24: 5.8% Hawthorne — 20-24: 6.3%
25-34 13.4% / 12.8%
Balmoral — 25-34: 13.4% Hawthorne — 25-34: 12.8%
35-44 17.1% / 16.2%
Balmoral — 35-44: 17.1% Hawthorne — 35-44: 16.2%
45-54 15.4% / 17.3%
Balmoral — 45-54: 15.4% Hawthorne — 45-54: 17.3%
55-64 12.5% / 11.7%
Balmoral — 55-64: 12.5% Hawthorne — 55-64: 11.7%
65-74 6.1% / 5.7%
Balmoral — 65-74: 6.1% Hawthorne — 65-74: 5.7%
75-84 2.6% / 2.1%
Balmoral — 75-84: 2.6% Hawthorne — 75-84: 2.1%
85+ 1.1% / 0.6%
Balmoral — 85+: 1.1% Hawthorne — 85+: 0.6%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (17.3%).

Who lives together

Household composition, 2021 Census.

Balmoral 46.8% couple families
Balmoral — Couple Families: 46.8% Balmoral — Lone Person: 31.8% Balmoral — One Parent Families: 15.2% Balmoral — Group Household: 4.8% Balmoral — Other Families: 1.4%
Hawthorne 48.4% couple families
Hawthorne — Couple Families: 48.4% Hawthorne — Lone Person: 31.3% Hawthorne — One Parent Families: 12.1% Hawthorne — Group Household: 6.8% Hawthorne — Other Families: 1.4%
Couple Families Lone Person One Parent Families Group Household Other Families

Who owns and who rents

Occupied private dwellings by tenure, 2021 Census.

Balmoral 36.0% renting
Balmoral — Owned Outright: 24.3% Balmoral — Mortgage: 39.7% Balmoral — Renting: 36.0%
Hawthorne 37.1% renting
Hawthorne — Owned Outright: 24.8% Hawthorne — Mortgage: 38.1% Hawthorne — Renting: 37.1%
Owned outright Mortgage Renting

Qualifications

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

Balmoral Hawthorne
Bachelor Degree 23.1% / 25.6%
Balmoral — Bachelor Degree: 23.1% Hawthorne — Bachelor Degree: 25.6%
Postgraduate Degree 9.1% / 8.9%
Balmoral — Postgraduate Degree: 9.1% Hawthorne — Postgraduate Degree: 8.9%
Advanced Diploma / Diploma 8.2% / 8.4%
Balmoral — Advanced Diploma / Diploma: 8.2% Hawthorne — Advanced Diploma / Diploma: 8.4%
Certificate III & IV 8.9% / 7.6%
Balmoral — Certificate III & IV: 8.9% Hawthorne — Certificate III & IV: 7.6%
Graduate Diploma / Certificate 3.5% / 3.8%
Balmoral — Graduate Diploma / Certificate: 3.5% Hawthorne — Graduate Diploma / Certificate: 3.8%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (25.6%).

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.

Balmoral Hawthorne
England 5.9% / 5.2%
Balmoral — England: 5.9% Hawthorne — England: 5.2%
New Zealand 3.8% / 3.2%
Balmoral — New Zealand: 3.8% Hawthorne — New Zealand: 3.2%
South Africa 1.3% / 1.3%
Balmoral — South Africa: 1.3% Hawthorne — South Africa: 1.3%
Scotland 0.8% / 0.8%
Balmoral — Scotland: 0.8% Hawthorne — Scotland: 0.8%
Ireland 0.9% / 0.6%
Balmoral — Ireland: 0.9% Hawthorne — Ireland: 0.6%
India 0.8% / 0.7%
Balmoral — India: 0.8% Hawthorne — India: 0.7%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (5.9%).

What people live in

Occupied private dwellings by structure, 2021 Census.

Balmoral 60.8% houses
Balmoral — Houses: 60.8% Balmoral — Flats / Apartments: 23.3% Balmoral — Townhouses: 15.9%
Hawthorne 61.7% houses
Hawthorne — Houses: 61.7% Hawthorne — Flats / Apartments: 26.5% Hawthorne — Townhouses: 11.7%
Houses Flats / Apartments Townhouses

Property market

Balmoral Hawthorne
Median house price $2,080,000 $2,550,000
Median unit price $890,000 $848,000
Median land price $1,100,000 —
Typical days to sell (houses) 24 days
from 56 sales
 25 days
from 58 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.

Balmoral Hawthorne
2 bed $830K / $830K
Balmoral — 2 bed: $830K (30 sales) Hawthorne — 2 bed: $830K (35 sales)

30 vs 35 sales

3 bed $1.25M / $1.2M
Balmoral — 3 bed: $1.25M (10 sales) Hawthorne — 3 bed: $1.2M (12 sales)

10 vs 12 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.

Balmoral Hawthorne
3 bed $1.55M / $1.94M
Balmoral — 3 bed: $1.55M (31 sales) Hawthorne — 3 bed: $1.94M (23 sales)

31 vs 23 sales

4 bed $2M / $2.19M
Balmoral — 4 bed: $2M (27 sales) Hawthorne — 4 bed: $2.19M (32 sales)

27 vs 32 sales

5 bed $2.74M / $3.07M
Balmoral — 5 bed: $2.74M (39 sales) Hawthorne — 5 bed: $3.07M (33 sales)

39 vs 33 sales

Development activity

Balmoral Hawthorne
New dwellings approved 9,382
across Brisbane
same for both
Approvals change year on year +9%
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.

Balmoral Hawthorne
Houses 4.5%
$1,200/wk on $1.4M
 3.0%
$1,100/wk on $1.9M
Units —
same for both

Ranking within QLD

Balmoral Hawthorne
House price —
same for both
Income Higher than 95% of QLD Higher than 97% of QLD
Schools —
same for both
Walkability Higher than 94% of QLD Higher than 92% of QLD
Affordability —
same for both
EV adoption Higher than 99% of QLD
same for both
NBN connectivity Higher than 94% of QLD Higher than 93% of QLD
Rental yield (houses) Higher than 75% of QLD Higher than 11% of QLD

Liveability

Balmoral Hawthorne
Grade A+
same for both
Score 84/100 81/100
Socio-economic band very advantaged area
decile 10/10
same for both

Risk profile

Balmoral Hawthorne
Bushfire None
0/100
same for both
Crime Moderate
56/100
 Moderate
62/100
Flood —
same for both
Coastal erosion None
0/100
same for both
Aircraft noise Moderate
50/100
 None
0/100
Industrial facilities nearby 11
within 5 km
 12
within 5 km

Schools

Balmoral Hawthorne
Inside the suburb 2 1
Rated above peers 1
same for both
Rated at peers 0
same for both
Rated below peers 1 0
Universities within 10 km 3
90 Bowen Terrace, Fortitude Valley QLD 4006, 3.2 km
 3
90 Bowen Terrace, Fortitude Valley QLD 4006, 2.4 km
Full-time students aged 15–24 3.1% 4.0%

Schools in Balmoral

  • Sts Peter and Paul's School Catholic · Primary above peers
  • Balmoral State High School Government · Secondary below peers

Schools in Hawthorne

  • Lourdes Hill College Catholic · Combined above peers

Amenities in the suburb

Balmoral Hawthorne
Cafes & restaurants 0 7
Parks & reserves 7 2
Childcare 3 2
GPs 2 0
Fuel stations 0 1

Mobility

Balmoral Hawthorne
Walkability score 75/100 71/100
Distance to Brisbane 8.7 km
+18% vs other
 7.1 km
Drive time (normal traffic) 17 min 14 min
Public transport score 79/100
Bus
same for both
Peak arrivals per hour 59.8
7-9am + 5-7pm
 60.5
7-9am + 5-7pm
Median peak wait 1 min
scheduled, not actual
same for both
Electric vehicle share 3.3%
postcode 4171
same for both
Rooftop solar per 100 dwellings 40
postcode 4171
same for both

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.

Balmoral Hawthorne
Car (driver) 55.1% / 55.0%
Balmoral — Car (driver): 55.1% Hawthorne — Car (driver): 55.0%
Worked from Home 33.0% / 33.3%
Balmoral — Worked from Home: 33.0% Hawthorne — Worked from Home: 33.3%
Car (passenger) 3.0% / 3.8%
Balmoral — Car (passenger): 3.0% Hawthorne — Car (passenger): 3.8%
Bus 3.6% / 3.1%
Balmoral — Bus: 3.6% Hawthorne — Bus: 3.1%
Walked Only 2.6% / 1.9%
Balmoral — Walked Only: 2.6% Hawthorne — Walked Only: 1.9%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (55.1%).

Setting

Balmoral Hawthorne
Elevation 37 m
above sea level, at the suburb centre
 6 m
above sea level, at the suburb centre
Distance to the ocean 6.0 km 7.2 km

NBN connectivity

Balmoral Hawthorne
Connectivity score 87/100 83/100
Most common technology Fibre to the premises Hybrid fibre-coaxial
Full-fibre (FTTP) share 47%
1,874 premises
 26%
2,328 premises

Climate

Balmoral Hawthorne
Annual rainfall 1,032 mm
same for both
Summer max (Jan) 30.5°C
same for both
Winter min (Jul) 8.9°C
same for both

Air quality (annual mean)

Balmoral Hawthorne
PM2.5 5.3 µg/m³
same for both
PM10 15.0 µg/m³
same for both
NO₂ 0.68 pphm
same for both

Council rates

Balmoral Hawthorne
Average residential rate $1,519/yr
same for both
Council Brisbane
same for both

Federal electorate

Balmoral Hawthorne
Division Griffith
same for both
Member Renee Coffey
same for both
Party Australian Labor Party
same for both

First Home Owner Grant

Balmoral Hawthorne
Grant amount $30,000
same for both
Property price cap $750,000
same for both
Eligibility New
same for both

Tags

Balmoral

Inner Luxury Parks Professionals Urban

Hawthorne

Inner Luxury Parks Professionals Urban

More comparisons

Other comparisons with Balmoral

Balmoral vs Morningside Balmoral vs Bulimba

Other comparisons with Hawthorne

Hawthorne vs New Farm Hawthorne vs Morningside Hawthorne vs Bulimba Hawthorne vs Norman Park Hawthorne vs Teneriffe
Full data on Balmoral Full data on Hawthorne
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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