Buderim vs Forest Glen

In both, the large majority of households own their home and most homes are detached houses. In Forest Glen, about half of households are couple families. Houses cost more in Buderim: a median of $1.38 million, against $1.12 million in Forest Glen, though rent is higher in Forest Glen. On these figures, Forest Glen 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

Buderim

ahead on 4 of the 6 things we measure here

  • has more parks and reserves (65 vs 1)
  • has more childcare (15 vs 4)
  • has more schools rated above their peers (2 vs 0)
  • But Forest Glen has more separate houses rather than flats (98% vs 73%)

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

First-home buyers

Buderim

ahead on 2 of the 3 things we measure here

  • leaves households under less mortgage stress (27% vs 35%)
  • has cheaper units ($810,000 vs $950,000)
  • But Forest Glen has cheaper houses ($1,117,500 vs $1,375,000)

Weighs house prices, unit prices, and mortgage stress.

Renters

Buderim

ahead on 2 of the 3 things we measure here

  • leaves renters under less rental stress (26% vs 36%)
  • has cheaper rent ($450/wk vs $500/wk)

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

Commuting to the city

Buderim

ahead on the one thing that separates them

  • is more walkable (69/100 vs 29/100)

Weighs distance, drive time, and walkability.

Downsizers and retirees

Buderim

ahead on 4 of the 5 things we measure here

  • has more GPs (11 vs 1)
  • has more units and townhouses to downsize into (27% vs 3%)
  • carries lower crime risk (28/100 vs 71/100)

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

Investors

Forest Glen

ahead on 2 of the 2 things we measure here

  • is growing faster (19.2% vs 7.1%)
  • returns a higher gross yield on houses (4.2% vs 3.2%)

Weighs house yield and population growth.

Where they sit

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

Buderim Forest Glen
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.

Buderim Forest Glen
Walkability 69 / 29
Buderim — Walkability: 69/100 Forest Glen — Walkability: 29/100
Safety 72 / 29
Buderim — Safety: 72/100 Forest Glen — Safety: 29/100
Low fire risk 62 / 100
Buderim — Low fire risk: 62/100 Forest Glen — Low fire risk: 100/100

Demographics

Buderim has more residents (31,430 vs 1,657); Buderim has higher household incomes ($89,908 vs $72,124).

Buderim Forest Glen
Population 31,430
+95% vs other
 1,657
Population trend (2016 → 2021) +7.1% +19.2%
Median age 46
same for both
Median household income $89,908/yr
+20% vs other
 $72,124/yr
Median weekly rent $450/wk $500/wk
+11% vs other

Age profile

Share of residents in each band, 2021 Census.

Buderim Forest Glen
0-4 4.4% / 6.4%
Buderim — 0-4: 4.4% Forest Glen — 0-4: 6.4%
5-14 12.5% / 12.5%
Buderim — 5-14: 12.5% Forest Glen — 5-14: 12.5%
15-19 6.0% / 5.3%
Buderim — 15-19: 6.0% Forest Glen — 15-19: 5.3%
20-24 4.7% / 3.4%
Buderim — 20-24: 4.7% Forest Glen — 20-24: 3.4%
25-34 9.3% / 8.6%
Buderim — 25-34: 9.3% Forest Glen — 25-34: 8.6%
35-44 11.4% / 12.5%
Buderim — 35-44: 11.4% Forest Glen — 35-44: 12.5%
45-54 13.9% / 12.5%
Buderim — 45-54: 13.9% Forest Glen — 45-54: 12.5%
55-64 12.9% / 10.1%
Buderim — 55-64: 12.9% Forest Glen — 55-64: 10.1%
65-74 12.6% / 16.4%
Buderim — 65-74: 12.6% Forest Glen — 65-74: 16.4%
75-84 8.2% / 11.6%
Buderim — 75-84: 8.2% Forest Glen — 75-84: 11.6%
85+ 4.0% / 1.4%
Buderim — 85+: 4.0% Forest Glen — 85+: 1.4%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (16.4%).

Who lives together

Household composition, 2021 Census.

Buderim 44.4% couple families
Buderim — Couple Families: 44.4% Buderim — Lone Person: 35.2% Buderim — One Parent Families: 14.6% Buderim — Group Household: 4.7% Buderim — Other Families: 1.0%
Forest Glen 45.9% couple families
Forest Glen — Couple Families: 45.9% Forest Glen — Lone Person: 38.3% Forest Glen — One Parent Families: 11.9% Forest Glen — Group Household: 3.9% Forest Glen — Other Families: 0.0%
Couple Families Lone Person One Parent Families Group Household Other Families

Who owns and who rents

Occupied private dwellings by tenure, 2021 Census.

Buderim 22.4% renting
Buderim — Owned Outright: 40.3% Buderim — Mortgage: 37.3% Buderim — Renting: 22.4%
Forest Glen 15.6% renting
Forest Glen — Owned Outright: 50.8% Forest Glen — Mortgage: 33.5% Forest Glen — Renting: 15.6%
Owned outright Mortgage Renting

Qualifications

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

Buderim Forest Glen
Certificate III & IV 14.9% / 17.7%
Buderim — Certificate III & IV: 14.9% Forest Glen — Certificate III & IV: 17.7%
Bachelor Degree 15.7% / 10.1%
Buderim — Bachelor Degree: 15.7% Forest Glen — Bachelor Degree: 10.1%
Advanced Diploma / Diploma 9.5% / 9.0%
Buderim — Advanced Diploma / Diploma: 9.5% Forest Glen — Advanced Diploma / Diploma: 9.0%
Postgraduate Degree 4.7% / 3.6%
Buderim — Postgraduate Degree: 4.7% Forest Glen — Postgraduate Degree: 3.6%
Graduate Diploma / Certificate 2.6% / 1.4%
Buderim — Graduate Diploma / Certificate: 2.6% Forest Glen — Graduate Diploma / Certificate: 1.4%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (17.7%).

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.

Buderim Forest Glen
England 7.0% / 7.4%
Buderim — England: 7.0% Forest Glen — England: 7.4%
New Zealand 4.3% / 4.9%
Buderim — New Zealand: 4.3% Forest Glen — New Zealand: 4.9%
South Africa 1.9% / 1.1%
Buderim — South Africa: 1.9% Forest Glen — South Africa: 1.1%
Scotland 0.7% / 0.7%
Buderim — Scotland: 0.7% Forest Glen — Scotland: 0.7%
India 0.5% / 0.5%
Buderim — India: 0.5% Forest Glen — India: 0.5%
Germany 0.7% / —
Buderim — Germany: 0.7% Forest Glen — Germany: not among its largest

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (7.4%).

What people live in

Occupied private dwellings by structure, 2021 Census.

Buderim 73.3% houses
Buderim — Houses: 73.3% Buderim — Townhouses: 16.1% Buderim — Flats / Apartments: 10.6%
Forest Glen 97.5% houses
Forest Glen — Houses: 97.5% Forest Glen — Townhouses: 2.7% Forest Glen — Flats / Apartments: 0.0%
Houses Townhouses Flats / Apartments

Property market

Buderim Forest Glen
Median house price $1,375,000 $1,117,500
Median unit price $810,000 $950,000
Median land price $1,087,500 —
Typical days to sell (houses) 28 days
from 368 sales
 54 days
from 18 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.

Buderim Forest Glen
3 bed $1.2M / $1.01M
Buderim — 3 bed: $1.2M (180 sales) Forest Glen — 3 bed: $1.01M (9 sales)

180 vs 9 sales

4 bed $1.4M / $1.09M
Buderim — 4 bed: $1.4M (350 sales) Forest Glen — 4 bed: $1.09M (22 sales)

350 vs 22 sales

5 bed $1.69M / $2.44M
Buderim — 5 bed: $1.69M (102 sales) Forest Glen — 5 bed: $2.44M (6 sales)

102 vs 6 sales

Development activity

Buderim Forest Glen
New dwellings approved 2,962
across Sunshine Coast
same for both
Approvals change year on year -41%
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.

Buderim Forest Glen
Houses 3.2%
$900/wk on $1.45M
 4.2%
$855/wk on $1.05M
Units 4.2%
$645/wk on $805K
 —

Ranking within QLD

Buderim Forest Glen
House price —
same for both
Income Higher than 63% of QLD Higher than 42% of QLD
Schools Higher than 95% of QLD —
Walkability Higher than 92% of QLD Higher than 82% of QLD
Affordability —
same for both
EV adoption Higher than 88% of QLD
same for both
NBN connectivity Higher than 78% of QLD Higher than 92% of QLD
Rental yield (houses) Higher than 15% of QLD Higher than 65% of QLD
Rental yield (units) Higher than 37% of QLD —

Liveability

Buderim is more walkable (69 vs 29); Buderim scores higher overall (73 vs 55).

Buderim Forest Glen
Grade A B
Score 73/100 55/100
Socio-economic band advantaged area
decile 8/10
 advantaged area
decile 7/10

Risk profile

Buderim carries more bushfire risk (38 vs 0); Forest Glen carries more crime risk (71 vs 28).

Buderim Forest Glen
Bushfire Low
38/100
 None
0/100
Crime Low
28/100
 High
71/100
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 2
within 5 km
 0
within 5 km

Schools

Buderim Forest Glen
Inside the suburb 3 2
Rated above peers 2 0
Rated at peers 1
same for both
Rated below peers 0 1
Universities within 10 km 1
UniSC Sunshine Coast, 4.4 km
 1
UniSC Sunshine Coast, 8.5 km
Full-time students aged 15–24 1.8% 1.3%

Schools in Buderim

  • Buderim Mountain State School Government · Primary above peers
  • Matthew Flinders Anglican College Independent · Combined above peers
  • Immanuel Lutheran College Independent · Combined at peers

Schools in Forest Glen

  • Sunshine Coast Grammar School Independent · Combined at peers
  • Montessori International College Independent · Combined below peers

Amenities in the suburb

Buderim Forest Glen
Supermarkets 6 1
Cafes & restaurants 12 0
Parks & reserves 65 1
Childcare 15 4
GPs 11 1
Pharmacies 6 1
Hospitals 1 0
Banks & Bank@Post 4 0
Fuel stations 1
same for both
EV chargers 1
same for both
Waterways 50 17

Mobility

Buderim Forest Glen
Walkability score 69/100 29/100
Distance to Brisbane 94 km 95 km
+1% vs other
Drive time (normal traffic) 80 min 76 min
Public transport score 76/100
Bus
 59/100
Bus
Peak arrivals per hour 125.0
7-9am + 5-7pm
 16.0
7-9am + 5-7pm
Median peak wait 0 min
scheduled, not actual
 1 min
scheduled, not actual
Electric vehicle share 1.3%
postcode 4556
same for both
Rooftop solar per 100 dwellings 73
postcode 4556
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.

Buderim Forest Glen
Car (driver) 72.8% / 74.6%
Buderim — Car (driver): 72.8% Forest Glen — Car (driver): 74.6%
Worked from Home 19.7% / 18.9%
Buderim — Worked from Home: 19.7% Forest Glen — Worked from Home: 18.9%
Car (passenger) 4.6% / 4.1%
Buderim — Car (passenger): 4.6% Forest Glen — Car (passenger): 4.1%
Walked Only 1.3% / 1.9%
Buderim — Walked Only: 1.3% Forest Glen — Walked Only: 1.9%
Bus 0.9% / 0.5%
Buderim — Bus: 0.9% Forest Glen — Bus: 0.5%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (74.6%).

Setting

Buderim Forest Glen
Elevation 119 m
above sea level, at the suburb centre
 8 m
above sea level, at the suburb centre
Distance to the ocean 4.7 km
4.9 km to a named beach
 7.2 km

NBN connectivity

Buderim Forest Glen
Connectivity score 68/100 82/100
Most common technology Fibre to the node Fibre to the premises
Full-fibre (FTTP) share 42%
14,677 premises
 70%
1,076 premises

Air quality (annual mean)

Buderim Forest Glen
PM2.5 5.0 µg/m³ 4.3 µg/m³
PM10 14.0 µg/m³ 12.3 µg/m³
NO₂ 0.31 pphm —

Council rates

Buderim Forest Glen
Average residential rate $1,690/yr
same for both
Council Sunshine Coast
same for both

Federal electorate

Buderim Forest Glen
Division Fairfax
same for both
Member Ted O'Brien
same for both
Party Liberal National Party of Queensland
same for both

First Home Owner Grant

Buderim Forest Glen
Grant amount $30,000
same for both
Property price cap $750,000
same for both
Eligibility New
same for both

Tags

Buderim

Parks Regional Centre

Forest Glen

Acreage Retirees River

More comparisons

Other comparisons with Buderim

Buderim vs Maroochydore Buderim vs Mountain Creek Buderim vs Sippy Downs Buderim vs Mooloolaba Buderim vs Alexandra Headland Buderim vs Kuluin

Other comparisons with Forest Glen

Forest Glen vs Woombye Forest Glen vs Diddillibah Forest Glen vs Tanawha Forest Glen vs Mons Forest Glen vs Kiels Mountain Forest Glen vs Chevallum
Full data on Buderim Full data on Forest Glen
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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