Brisbane City vs Fortitude Valley

In both, most households rent, the large majority of homes are flats or apartments, and most households are people living alone. Units cost more in Brisbane City: a median of $740,000, against $670,000 in Fortitude Valley, and rent is higher there too. Brisbane City is the city centre itself; Fortitude Valley is 2 km out. On these figures, Fortitude Valley tends to suit renters and 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

Brisbane City

ahead on 2 of the 6 things we measure here

  • has more parks and reserves (22 vs 5)
  • has more childcare (7 vs 4)
  • But Fortitude Valley has more schools rated above their peers (3 vs 0)

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

First-home buyers

Fortitude Valley

ahead on the one thing that separates them

  • has cheaper units ($670,000 vs $740,000)

Weighs house prices, unit prices, and mortgage stress.

Renters

Fortitude Valley

ahead on 2 of the 3 things we measure here

  • has a bigger rental market to choose from (82% vs 68%)
  • has cheaper rent ($400/wk vs $460/wk)

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

Commuting to the city

Brisbane City

ahead on 2 of the 4 things we measure here

  • has a shorter drive in (0 min vs 6 min)
  • sits closer to the CBD (0 km vs 2 km)

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

Downsizers and retirees

Brisbane City

ahead on the one thing that separates them

  • has more GPs (18 vs 5)

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

Investors

Fortitude Valley

ahead on the one thing that separates them

  • is growing faster (39.1% vs 33.1%)

Weighs unit yield and population growth.

Where they sit

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

Brisbane City Fortitude Valley
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.

Brisbane City Fortitude Valley
Walkability 99 / 99
Brisbane City — Walkability: 99/100 Fortitude Valley — Walkability: 99/100
Safety 2 / 3
Brisbane City — Safety: 2/100 Fortitude Valley — Safety: 3/100
Low fire risk 100 / 100
Brisbane City — Low fire risk: 100/100 Fortitude Valley — Low fire risk: 100/100

Demographics

Brisbane City has more residents (12,587 vs 9,708); Brisbane City rents higher ($460/wk vs $400/wk).

Brisbane City Fortitude Valley
Population 12,587
+23% vs other
 9,708
Population trend (2016 → 2021) +33.1% +39.1%
Median age 31
same for both
Median household income $93,704/yr
+8% vs other
 $86,216/yr
Median weekly rent $460/wk
+13% vs other
 $400/wk

Age profile

Share of residents in each band, 2021 Census.

Brisbane City Fortitude Valley
0-4 2.1% / 2.1%
Brisbane City — 0-4: 2.1% Fortitude Valley — 0-4: 2.1%
5-14 2.7% / 2.2%
Brisbane City — 5-14: 2.7% Fortitude Valley — 5-14: 2.2%
15-19 6.2% / 2.0%
Brisbane City — 15-19: 6.2% Fortitude Valley — 15-19: 2.0%
20-24 16.8% / 15.1%
Brisbane City — 20-24: 16.8% Fortitude Valley — 20-24: 15.1%
25-34 30.2% / 40.6%
Brisbane City — 25-34: 30.2% Fortitude Valley — 25-34: 40.6%
35-44 14.9% / 18.6%
Brisbane City — 35-44: 14.9% Fortitude Valley — 35-44: 18.6%
45-54 9.9% / 9.3%
Brisbane City — 45-54: 9.9% Fortitude Valley — 45-54: 9.3%
55-64 8.9% / 5.4%
Brisbane City — 55-64: 8.9% Fortitude Valley — 55-64: 5.4%
65-74 5.5% / 2.7%
Brisbane City — 65-74: 5.5% Fortitude Valley — 65-74: 2.7%
75-84 2.3% / 1.2%
Brisbane City — 75-84: 2.3% Fortitude Valley — 75-84: 1.2%
85+ 0.4% / 0.7%
Brisbane City — 85+: 0.4% Fortitude Valley — 85+: 0.7%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (40.6%).

Who lives together

Household composition, 2021 Census.

Brisbane City 60.8% lone person
Brisbane City — Lone Person: 60.8% Brisbane City — Group Household: 18.5% Brisbane City — Couple Families: 11.9% Brisbane City — One Parent Families: 6.4% Brisbane City — Other Families: 2.4%
Fortitude Valley 68.7% lone person
Fortitude Valley — Lone Person: 68.7% Fortitude Valley — Group Household: 17.8% Fortitude Valley — Couple Families: 7.4% Fortitude Valley — One Parent Families: 4.0% Fortitude Valley — Other Families: 2.1%
Lone Person Group Household Couple Families One Parent Families Other Families

Who owns and who rents

Occupied private dwellings by tenure, 2021 Census.

Brisbane City 68.4% renting
Brisbane City — Owned Outright: 15.8% Brisbane City — Mortgage: 15.8% Brisbane City — Renting: 68.4%
Fortitude Valley 82.1% renting
Fortitude Valley — Owned Outright: 5.1% Fortitude Valley — Mortgage: 12.9% Fortitude Valley — Renting: 82.1%
Owned outright Mortgage Renting

Qualifications

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

Brisbane City Fortitude Valley
Bachelor Degree 27.7% / 28.1%
Brisbane City — Bachelor Degree: 27.7% Fortitude Valley — Bachelor Degree: 28.1%
Postgraduate Degree 13.3% / 8.9%
Brisbane City — Postgraduate Degree: 13.3% Fortitude Valley — Postgraduate Degree: 8.9%
Advanced Diploma / Diploma 9.2% / 10.3%
Brisbane City — Advanced Diploma / Diploma: 9.2% Fortitude Valley — Advanced Diploma / Diploma: 10.3%
Certificate III & IV 7.2% / 11.3%
Brisbane City — Certificate III & IV: 7.2% Fortitude Valley — Certificate III & IV: 11.3%
Graduate Diploma / Certificate 2.6% / 2.9%
Brisbane City — Graduate Diploma / Certificate: 2.6% Fortitude Valley — Graduate Diploma / Certificate: 2.9%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (28.1%).

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.

Brisbane City Fortitude Valley
China 8.3% / 2.1%
Brisbane City — China: 8.3% Fortitude Valley — China: 2.1%
New Zealand 2.9% / 4.2%
Brisbane City — New Zealand: 2.9% Fortitude Valley — New Zealand: 4.2%
India 3.5% / 3.2%
Brisbane City — India: 3.5% Fortitude Valley — India: 3.2%
England 3.4% / 3.3%
Brisbane City — England: 3.4% Fortitude Valley — England: 3.3%
Brazil 1.4% / 2.8%
Brisbane City — Brazil: 1.4% Fortitude Valley — Brazil: 2.8%
Philippines 2.3% / 1.8%
Brisbane City — Philippines: 2.3% Fortitude Valley — Philippines: 1.8%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (8.3%).

What people live in

Occupied private dwellings by structure, 2021 Census.

Brisbane City 99.8% flats / apartments
Brisbane City — Flats / Apartments: 99.8% Brisbane City — Houses: 0.1% Brisbane City — Townhouses: 0.1%
Fortitude Valley 96.7% flats / apartments
Fortitude Valley — Flats / Apartments: 96.7% Fortitude Valley — Houses: 2.0% Fortitude Valley — Townhouses: 1.2%
Flats / Apartments Houses Townhouses

Property market

Brisbane City Fortitude Valley
Median house price $740,000 $745,000
Median unit price $740,000 $670,000
Median land price —
same for both
Typical days to sell (houses) 106 days
from 3 sales
 28 days
from 14 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.

Brisbane City Fortitude Valley
1 bed $558K / $572K
Brisbane City — 1 bed: $558K (302 sales) Fortitude Valley — 1 bed: $572K (202 sales)

302 vs 202 sales

2 bed $850K / $765K
Brisbane City — 2 bed: $850K (303 sales) Fortitude Valley — 2 bed: $765K (221 sales)

303 vs 221 sales

3 bed $1.69M / $980K
Brisbane City — 3 bed: $1.69M (71 sales) Fortitude Valley — 3 bed: $980K (28 sales)

71 vs 28 sales

Development activity

Brisbane City Fortitude Valley
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.

Brisbane City Fortitude Valley
Houses — 5.8%
$770/wk on $692K
Units 5.4%
$800/wk on $765K
 5.1%
$680/wk on $700K

Ranking within QLD

Brisbane City Fortitude Valley
House price —
same for both
Income Higher than 67% of QLD Higher than 60% of QLD
Schools — Higher than 86% of QLD
Walkability Higher than 100% of QLD
same for both
Affordability —
same for both
EV adoption Higher than 100% of QLD Higher than 99% of QLD
NBN connectivity Higher than 79% of QLD Higher than 92% of QLD
Rental yield (houses) — Higher than 97% of QLD
Rental yield (units) Higher than 80% of QLD Higher than 74% of QLD

Liveability

Brisbane City Fortitude Valley
Grade A
same for both
Score 68/100 72/100
Socio-economic band very advantaged area
decile 10/10
 very advantaged area
decile 9/10

Risk profile

Brisbane City Fortitude Valley
Bushfire None
0/100
same for both
Crime High
98/100
 High
97/100
Flood —
same for both
Coastal erosion None
0/100
same for both
Aircraft noise None
0/100
same for both
Industrial facilities nearby 8
within 5 km
 7
within 5 km

Schools

Brisbane City Fortitude Valley
Inside the suburb 2 6
Rated above peers 0 3
Rated at peers 0 1
Rated below peers 0
same for both
Universities within 10 km 3
Brisbane C.Q.U. Campus, 0.0 km
 3
90 Bowen Terrace, Fortitude Valley QLD 4006, 0.0 km
Full-time students aged 15–24 12.4% 4.2%

Schools in Brisbane City

  • Indie School, Logan - Brisbane City Campus Independent · Secondary
  • The BUSY School - Brisbane Campus Independent · Secondary

Schools in Fortitude Valley

  • All Hallows' School Catholic · Combined above peers
  • Angelorum College Independent · Combined above peers
  • Humanitas High School Independent · Secondary above peers
  • Fortitude Valley State Secondary College Government · Secondary at peers
  • Humanitas High School - Initial Campus Independent · Secondary
  • Music Industry College Independent · Secondary

Amenities in the suburb

Brisbane City Fortitude Valley
Supermarkets 10 4
Cafes & restaurants 198 72
Parks & reserves 22 5
Childcare 7 4
GPs 18 5
Pharmacies 11 4
Police stations 2 1
Banks & Bank@Post 28 3
EV chargers 1
same for both
Waterways 0 1

Mobility

Fortitude Valley sits further from the CBD (2 km vs 0 km).

Brisbane City Fortitude Valley
Walkability score 99/100
same for both
Distance to Brisbane 0 km 2 km
(not reported on the other side)
Drive time (normal traffic) 0 min 6 min
Public transport score 94/100
Rail · Bus · Ferry
same for both
Peak arrivals per hour 2112.8
7-9am + 5-7pm
 583.0
7-9am + 5-7pm
Median peak wait 0 min
scheduled, not actual
same for both
Electric vehicle share 5.2%
postcode 4000
 3.6%
postcode 4006
Rooftop solar per 100 dwellings 4
postcode 4000
 4
postcode 4006

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.

Brisbane City Fortitude Valley
Walked Only 35.5% / 23.8%
Brisbane City — Walked Only: 35.5% Fortitude Valley — Walked Only: 23.8%
Car (driver) 20.2% / 30.6%
Brisbane City — Car (driver): 20.2% Fortitude Valley — Car (driver): 30.6%
Worked from Home 25.5% / 23.3%
Brisbane City — Worked from Home: 25.5% Fortitude Valley — Worked from Home: 23.3%
Bus 9.9% / 8.9%
Brisbane City — Bus: 9.9% Fortitude Valley — Bus: 8.9%
Train 4.0% / 8.0%
Brisbane City — Train: 4.0% Fortitude Valley — Train: 8.0%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (35.5%).

Setting

Brisbane City Fortitude Valley
Elevation 29 m
above sea level, at the suburb centre
 14 m
above sea level, at the suburb centre
Distance to the ocean 10.4 km 8.9 km
4.0 km to a named beach

NBN connectivity

Brisbane City Fortitude Valley
Connectivity score 70/100 81/100
Most common technology Fibre to the building
same for both
Full-fibre (FTTP) share 13%
19,326 premises
 41%
9,869 premises

Climate

Brisbane City Fortitude Valley
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)

Brisbane City Fortitude Valley
PM2.5 5.4 µg/m³
same for both
PM10 14.7 µg/m³
same for both
NO₂ —
same for both

Council rates

Brisbane City Fortitude Valley
Average residential rate $1,519/yr
same for both
Council Brisbane
same for both

Federal electorate

Brisbane City Fortitude Valley
Division Brisbane
same for both
Member Madonna Jarrett
same for both
Party Australian Labor Party
same for both

First Home Owner Grant

Brisbane City Fortitude Valley
Grant amount $30,000
same for both
Property price cap $750,000
same for both
Eligibility New
same for both

Tags

Brisbane City

Apartments Arts Cafe Culture Easy Commute Inner Multicultural Nightlife Parks Professionals Students Transport Hub Urban

Fortitude Valley

Apartments Cafe Culture Easy Commute Inner Nightlife Parks River Transport Hub Urban

More comparisons

Other comparisons with Brisbane City

Brisbane City vs South Brisbane Brisbane City vs Kangaroo Point Brisbane City vs Kelvin Grove Brisbane City vs Spring Hill Brisbane City vs Milton Brisbane City vs Petrie Terrace

Other comparisons with Fortitude Valley

Fortitude Valley vs New Farm Fortitude Valley vs Kangaroo Point Fortitude Valley vs Newstead Fortitude Valley vs Spring Hill Fortitude Valley vs Teneriffe Fortitude Valley vs Bowen Hills
Full data on Brisbane City Full data on Fortitude Valley
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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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