Berala vs Lidcombe

Lidcombe is the younger of the two, with a median age of 33 against 37 in Berala. In both, about half of households are couple families. In Berala, most households own their home and most homes are detached houses. In Lidcombe, about half of households rent and about half of homes are flats or apartments. Houses cost more in Lidcombe: a median of $1.99 million, against $1.55 million in Berala, and rent is higher there too. On these figures, Berala tends to suit buyers on a tighter budget, while Lidcombe suits young adults.

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

Lidcombe

ahead on 3 of the 6 things we measure here

  • has more childcare (15 vs 3)
  • has more schools rated above their peers (2 vs 0)
  • has more parks and reserves (11 vs 8)
  • But Berala carries lower crime risk (45/100 vs 72/100)

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

First-home buyers

Berala

ahead on 2 of the 3 things we measure here

  • has cheaper units ($490,000 vs $765,000)
  • has cheaper houses ($1,552,500 vs $1,985,000)

Weighs house prices, unit prices, and mortgage stress.

Renters

Berala

ahead on the one thing that separates them

  • has cheaper rent ($380/wk vs $500/wk)

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

Commuting to the city

Lidcombe

ahead on the one thing that separates them

  • sits closer to the CBD (18.4 km vs 20.4 km)

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

Downsizers and retirees

Lidcombe

ahead on 2 of the 5 things we measure here

  • has more GPs (9 vs 2)
  • has more units and townhouses to downsize into (61% vs 39%)
  • But Berala carries lower crime risk (45/100 vs 72/100)

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

Investors

Lidcombe

ahead on the one thing that separates them

  • is growing faster (20.6% vs -3.2%)

Weighs population growth.

Where they sit

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

Berala Lidcombe
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.

Berala Lidcombe
Walkability 88 / 91
Berala — Walkability: 88/100 Lidcombe — Walkability: 91/100
Safety 55 / 28
Berala — Safety: 55/100 Lidcombe — Safety: 28/100
Low fire risk 100 / 100
Berala — Low fire risk: 100/100 Lidcombe — Low fire risk: 100/100

Demographics

Lidcombe has more residents (23,663 vs 8,757); Lidcombe rents higher ($500/wk vs $380/wk).

Berala Lidcombe
Population 8,757 23,663
+170% vs other
Population trend (2016 → 2021) -3.2% +20.6%
Median age 37 33
Median household income $80,704/yr $98,176/yr
+22% vs other
Median weekly rent $380/wk $500/wk
+32% vs other

Age profile

Share of residents in each band, 2021 Census.

Berala Lidcombe
0-4 5.2% / 5.4%
Berala — 0-4: 5.2% Lidcombe — 0-4: 5.4%
5-14 10.4% / 8.3%
Berala — 5-14: 10.4% Lidcombe — 5-14: 8.3%
15-19 5.2% / 3.8%
Berala — 15-19: 5.2% Lidcombe — 15-19: 3.8%
20-24 7.8% / 9.1%
Berala — 20-24: 7.8% Lidcombe — 20-24: 9.1%
25-34 18.1% / 25.6%
Berala — 25-34: 18.1% Lidcombe — 25-34: 25.6%
35-44 12.7% / 15.2%
Berala — 35-44: 12.7% Lidcombe — 35-44: 15.2%
45-54 13.0% / 10.7%
Berala — 45-54: 13.0% Lidcombe — 45-54: 10.7%
55-64 13.0% / 11.0%
Berala — 55-64: 13.0% Lidcombe — 55-64: 11.0%
65-74 8.7% / 6.7%
Berala — 65-74: 8.7% Lidcombe — 65-74: 6.7%
75-84 4.0% / 3.1%
Berala — 75-84: 4.0% Lidcombe — 75-84: 3.1%
85+ 1.9% / 1.2%
Berala — 85+: 1.9% Lidcombe — 85+: 1.2%

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

Who lives together

Household composition, 2021 Census.

Berala 47.6% couple families
Berala — Couple Families: 47.6% Berala — Lone Person: 23.9% Berala — One Parent Families: 17.8% Berala — Group Household: 7.6% Berala — Other Families: 3.1%
Lidcombe 46.4% couple families
Lidcombe — Couple Families: 46.4% Lidcombe — Lone Person: 23.2% Lidcombe — One Parent Families: 15.0% Lidcombe — Group Household: 11.9% Lidcombe — Other Families: 3.5%
Couple Families Lone Person One Parent Families Group Household Other Families

Who owns and who rents

Occupied private dwellings by tenure, 2021 Census.

Berala 41.6% renting
Berala — Owned Outright: 33.8% Berala — Mortgage: 24.6% Berala — Renting: 41.6%
Lidcombe 45.1% renting
Lidcombe — Owned Outright: 21.4% Lidcombe — Mortgage: 33.5% Lidcombe — Renting: 45.1%
Owned outright Mortgage Renting

Qualifications

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

Berala Lidcombe
Bachelor Degree 14.3% / 20.5%
Berala — Bachelor Degree: 14.3% Lidcombe — Bachelor Degree: 20.5%
Advanced Diploma / Diploma 6.7% / 9.6%
Berala — Advanced Diploma / Diploma: 6.7% Lidcombe — Advanced Diploma / Diploma: 9.6%
Certificate III & IV 7.0% / 5.9%
Berala — Certificate III & IV: 7.0% Lidcombe — Certificate III & IV: 5.9%
Postgraduate Degree 3.8% / 7.9%
Berala — Postgraduate Degree: 3.8% Lidcombe — Postgraduate Degree: 7.9%
Graduate Diploma / Certificate 0.8% / 1.2%
Berala — Graduate Diploma / Certificate: 0.8% Lidcombe — Graduate Diploma / Certificate: 1.2%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (20.5%).

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.

Berala Lidcombe
China 17.3% / 12.6%
Berala — China: 17.3% Lidcombe — China: 12.6%
Vietnam 8.6% / 5.1%
Berala — Vietnam: 8.6% Lidcombe — Vietnam: 5.1%
Nepal 1.7% / 6.3%
Berala — Nepal: 1.7% Lidcombe — Nepal: 6.3%
Philippines 3.2% / 2.6%
Berala — Philippines: 3.2% Lidcombe — Philippines: 2.6%
India 1.8% / 2.3%
Berala — India: 1.8% Lidcombe — India: 2.3%
Afghanistan 1.9% / —
Berala — Afghanistan: 1.9% Lidcombe — Afghanistan: not among its largest

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

What people live in

Occupied private dwellings by structure, 2021 Census.

Berala 61.0% houses
Berala — Houses: 61.0% Berala — Flats / Apartments: 26.9% Berala — Townhouses: 12.1%
Lidcombe 38.7% houses
Lidcombe — Houses: 38.7% Lidcombe — Flats / Apartments: 45.1% Lidcombe — Townhouses: 16.2%
Houses Flats / Apartments Townhouses

Property market

Berala Lidcombe
Median house price $1,552,500 $1,985,000
Median unit price $490,000 $765,000
Median land price —
same for both
Typical days to sell (houses) 28 days
from 32 sales
 30 days
from 109 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.

Berala Lidcombe
2 bed $489K / $770K
Berala — 2 bed: $489K (23 sales) Lidcombe — 2 bed: $770K (199 sales)

23 vs 199 sales

3 bed $570K / $955K
Berala — 3 bed: $570K (7 sales) Lidcombe — 3 bed: $955K (55 sales)

7 vs 55 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.

Berala Lidcombe
3 bed $1.42M / $1.81M
Berala — 3 bed: $1.42M (23 sales) Lidcombe — 3 bed: $1.81M (55 sales)

23 vs 55 sales

4 bed $1.65M / $1.94M
Berala — 4 bed: $1.65M (18 sales) Lidcombe — 4 bed: $1.94M (28 sales)

18 vs 28 sales

5 bed $1.91M / $2.21M
Berala — 5 bed: $1.91M (12 sales) Lidcombe — 5 bed: $2.21M (28 sales)

12 vs 28 sales

Zoning mix

Lidcombe has more industrially zoned land (19% vs 0%).

Berala Lidcombe
Residential 70% 55%
Parks and recreation 25% 6%
Industrial 0% 19%
Infrastructure and transport 3% 16%
Commercial 2% 4%
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

Berala Lidcombe
New dwellings approved 1,756
across Cumberland
same for both
Approvals change year on year -28%
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.

Berala Lidcombe
Houses — 2.8%
$850/wk on $1.58M
Units — 5.3%
$800/wk on $780K

Ranking within NSW

Berala Lidcombe
House price Higher than 74% of NSW Higher than 83% of NSW
Income Higher than 48% of NSW Higher than 67% of NSW
Schools —
same for both
Walkability Higher than 95% of NSW Higher than 97% of NSW
Affordability Higher than 21% of NSW Higher than 20% of NSW
EV adoption Higher than 90% of NSW
same for both
NBN connectivity Higher than 98% of NSW
same for both
Rental yield (houses) — Higher than 14% of NSW
Rental yield (units) — Higher than 79% of NSW

Liveability

Lidcombe scores higher overall (70 vs 65).

Berala Lidcombe
Grade B A
Score 65/100 70/100
Socio-economic band below-average income
decile 3/10
 advantaged area
decile 8/10

Risk profile

Lidcombe carries more crime risk (72 vs 45).

Berala Lidcombe
Bushfire None
0/100
same for both
Crime Moderate
45/100
 High
72/100
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 21
within 5 km
 29
within 5 km

Schools

Berala Lidcombe
Inside the suburb 1 2
Rated above peers 0 2
Rated at peers 1 0
Rated below peers 0
same for both
Universities within 10 km 3
Strathfield Campus, 4.5 km
 3
Strathfield Campus, 3.6 km
Full-time students aged 15–24 3.6% 4.0%

Schools in Berala

  • Berala Public School Government · Primary at peers

Schools in Lidcombe

  • Lidcombe Public School Government · Primary above peers
  • St Joachim's Catholic Primary School Catholic · Primary above peers

Amenities in the suburb

Berala Lidcombe
Supermarkets 1 6
Cafes & restaurants 2 22
Parks & reserves 8 11
Childcare 3 15
GPs 2 9
Pharmacies 3 4
Banks & Bank@Post 1 2
Fuel stations 0 3
Waterways 0 1

Mobility

Berala sits further from the CBD (20.4 km vs 18.4 km).

Berala Lidcombe
Walkability score 88/100 91/100
Distance to Sydney 20.4 km
+10% vs other
 18.4 km
Drive time (normal traffic) 27 min 23 min
Public transport score 93/100
Rail · Bus
 95/100
Rail · Bus
Peak arrivals per hour 64.5
7-9am + 5-7pm
 324.5
7-9am + 5-7pm
Median peak wait 1 min
scheduled, not actual
 0 min
scheduled, not actual
Electric vehicle share 1.6%
postcode 2141
same for both
Rooftop solar per 100 dwellings 20
postcode 2141
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.

Berala Lidcombe
Car (driver) 47.7% / 39.0%
Berala — Car (driver): 47.7% Lidcombe — Car (driver): 39.0%
Worked from Home 32.5% / 37.0%
Berala — Worked from Home: 32.5% Lidcombe — Worked from Home: 37.0%
Train 11.2% / 15.1%
Berala — Train: 11.2% Lidcombe — Train: 15.1%
Car (passenger) 5.8% / 4.4%
Berala — Car (passenger): 5.8% Lidcombe — Car (passenger): 4.4%
Walked Only 2.0% / 3.0%
Berala — Walked Only: 2.0% Lidcombe — Walked Only: 3.0%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (47.7%).

Setting

Berala Lidcombe
Elevation 33 m
above sea level, at the suburb centre
 20 m
above sea level, at the suburb centre
Distance to the ocean 14.7 km 14.5 km

NBN connectivity

Berala Lidcombe
Connectivity score 100/100 99/100
Most common technology Fibre to the premises
same for both
Full-fibre (FTTP) share 100%
3,108 premises
 96%
9,801 premises

Climate

Berala Lidcombe
Annual rainfall 909 mm 1,021 mm
Summer max (Jan) 28.7°C 28.4°C
Winter min (Jul) 6.4°C 7.2°C

Air quality (annual mean)

Berala Lidcombe
PM2.5 6.5 µg/m³
same for both
PM10 16.5 µg/m³
same for both
NO₂ 0.9 pphm
same for both

Council rates

Berala Lidcombe
Average residential rate $1,038/yr
same for both
Council Cumberland
same for both

Federal electorate

Berala Lidcombe
Division Blaxland Reid
Member Jason Clare Sally Sitou
Party Australian Labor Party
same for both

First Home Owner Grant

Berala Lidcombe
Grant amount $10,000
same for both
Property price cap $600,000
same for both
Eligibility New
same for both

Tags

Berala

Easy Commute Middle-Ring Multicultural Parks Trains Transport Hub Urban

Lidcombe

Apartments Easy Commute Middle-Ring Multicultural Parks Trains Transport Hub Urban

More comparisons

Other comparisons with Berala

Berala vs Auburn Berala vs Regents Park

Other comparisons with Lidcombe

Lidcombe vs Auburn Lidcombe vs Homebush West Lidcombe vs Newington Lidcombe vs Regents Park Lidcombe vs Sydney Olympic Park Lidcombe vs Silverwater
Full data on Berala Full data on Lidcombe
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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