Burwood vs Strathfield

In Burwood, most households rent and most homes are flats or apartments. In Strathfield, about half of households rent and about half of homes are flats or apartments. Units cost more in Burwood: a median of $890,000, against $742,000 in Strathfield. Burwood is closer to the city centre: 12.7 km, against 15 km. On these figures, Burwood tends to suit renters, while Strathfield suits 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

Strathfield

ahead on 6 of the 6 things we measure here

  • has more schools rated above their peers (6 vs 1)
  • has more parks and reserves (21 vs 7)
  • has more separate houses rather than flats (45% vs 21%)

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

First-home buyers

Strathfield

ahead on 2 of the 3 things we measure here

  • has cheaper units ($742,000 vs $890,000)
  • leaves households under less mortgage stress (28% vs 34%)
  • But Burwood has cheaper houses ($3,100,000 vs $4,490,000)

Weighs house prices, unit prices, and mortgage stress.

Renters

They split

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

  • Burwood has a bigger rental market to choose from (62% vs 46%)
  • Strathfield leaves renters under less rental stress (21% vs 30%)

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

Commuting to the city

Burwood

ahead on 2 of the 4 things we measure here

  • is more walkable (96/100 vs 62/100)
  • sits closer to the CBD (12.7 km vs 15 km)

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

Downsizers and retirees

Burwood

ahead on 3 of the 5 things we measure here

  • has more GPs (10 vs 6)
  • is more walkable (96/100 vs 62/100)
  • has more units and townhouses to downsize into (79% vs 55%)
  • But Strathfield carries lower crime risk (64/100 vs 85/100)

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

Investors

Burwood

ahead on the one thing that separates them

  • is growing faster (13.7% vs 0.4%)

Weighs house yield, unit yield, and population growth.

Where they sit

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

Burwood Strathfield
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.

Burwood Strathfield
Walkability 96 / 62
Burwood — Walkability: 96/100 Strathfield — Walkability: 62/100
Safety 15 / 36
Burwood — Safety: 15/100 Strathfield — Safety: 36/100
Low fire risk 100 / 100
Burwood — Low fire risk: 100/100 Strathfield — Low fire risk: 100/100

Demographics

Strathfield has more residents (25,915 vs 18,224); Strathfield has higher household incomes ($117,624 vs $86,892).

Burwood Strathfield
Population 18,224 25,915
+42% vs other
Population trend (2016 → 2021) +13.7% +0.4%
Median age 32
same for both
Median household income $86,892/yr $117,624/yr
+35% vs other
Median weekly rent $500/wk
+4% vs other
 $480/wk

Age profile

Share of residents in each band, 2021 Census.

Burwood Strathfield
0-4 3.5% / 3.2%
Burwood — 0-4: 3.5% Strathfield — 0-4: 3.2%
5-14 6.0% / 8.0%
Burwood — 5-14: 6.0% Strathfield — 5-14: 8.0%
15-19 3.5% / 4.7%
Burwood — 15-19: 3.5% Strathfield — 15-19: 4.7%
20-24 14.9% / 15.0%
Burwood — 20-24: 14.9% Strathfield — 20-24: 15.0%
25-34 28.1% / 22.6%
Burwood — 25-34: 28.1% Strathfield — 25-34: 22.6%
35-44 12.7% / 11.1%
Burwood — 35-44: 12.7% Strathfield — 35-44: 11.1%
45-54 9.6% / 9.9%
Burwood — 45-54: 9.6% Strathfield — 45-54: 9.9%
55-64 9.1% / 10.5%
Burwood — 55-64: 9.1% Strathfield — 55-64: 10.5%
65-74 6.5% / 7.4%
Burwood — 65-74: 6.5% Strathfield — 65-74: 7.4%
75-84 3.7% / 4.8%
Burwood — 75-84: 3.7% Strathfield — 75-84: 4.8%
85+ 2.3% / 2.7%
Burwood — 85+: 2.3% Strathfield — 85+: 2.7%

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

Who lives together

Household composition, 2021 Census.

Burwood 30.1% couple families
Burwood — Couple Families: 30.1% Burwood — Lone Person: 32.8% Burwood — Group Household: 20.0% Burwood — One Parent Families: 12.8% Burwood — Other Families: 4.3%
Strathfield 43.5% couple families
Strathfield — Couple Families: 43.5% Strathfield — Lone Person: 26.4% Strathfield — Group Household: 15.6% Strathfield — One Parent Families: 10.2% Strathfield — Other Families: 4.2%
Couple Families Lone Person Group Household One Parent Families Other Families

Who owns and who rents

Occupied private dwellings by tenure, 2021 Census.

Burwood 61.6% renting
Burwood — Owned Outright: 20.8% Burwood — Mortgage: 17.7% Burwood — Renting: 61.6%
Strathfield 45.6% renting
Strathfield — Owned Outright: 29.8% Strathfield — Mortgage: 24.6% Strathfield — Renting: 45.6%
Owned outright Mortgage Renting

Qualifications

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

Burwood Strathfield
Bachelor Degree 22.8% / 25.8%
Burwood — Bachelor Degree: 22.8% Strathfield — Bachelor Degree: 25.8%
Postgraduate Degree 11.7% / 11.2%
Burwood — Postgraduate Degree: 11.7% Strathfield — Postgraduate Degree: 11.2%
Advanced Diploma / Diploma 9.7% / 10.3%
Burwood — Advanced Diploma / Diploma: 9.7% Strathfield — Advanced Diploma / Diploma: 10.3%
Certificate III & IV 4.6% / 4.7%
Burwood — Certificate III & IV: 4.6% Strathfield — Certificate III & IV: 4.7%
Graduate Diploma / Certificate 1.5% / 1.9%
Burwood — Graduate Diploma / Certificate: 1.5% Strathfield — Graduate Diploma / Certificate: 1.9%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (25.8%).

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.

Burwood Strathfield
China 28.8% / 8.6%
Burwood — China: 28.8% Strathfield — China: 8.6%
Nepal 8.2% / 13.6%
Burwood — Nepal: 8.2% Strathfield — Nepal: 13.6%
India 2.8% / 6.8%
Burwood — India: 2.8% Strathfield — India: 6.8%
Vietnam 3.3% / 3.1%
Burwood — Vietnam: 3.3% Strathfield — Vietnam: 3.1%
Malaysia 3.1% / 1.4%
Burwood — Malaysia: 3.1% Strathfield — Malaysia: 1.4%
Sri Lanka — / 2.4%
Burwood — Sri Lanka: not among its largest Strathfield — Sri Lanka: 2.4%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (28.8%).

What people live in

Occupied private dwellings by structure, 2021 Census.

Burwood 69.4% flats / apartments
Burwood — Flats / Apartments: 69.4% Burwood — Houses: 21.2% Burwood — Townhouses: 9.4%
Strathfield 50.0% flats / apartments
Strathfield — Flats / Apartments: 50.0% Strathfield — Houses: 45.4% Strathfield — Townhouses: 4.6%
Flats / Apartments Houses Townhouses

Property market

Burwood Strathfield
Median house price $3,100,000 $4,490,000
Median unit price $890,000 $742,000
Median land price — $158,000
Typical days to sell (houses) 36 days
from 67 sales
 32 days
from 198 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.

Burwood Strathfield
1 bed $710K / $520K
Burwood — 1 bed: $710K (73 sales) Strathfield — 1 bed: $520K (47 sales)

73 vs 47 sales

2 bed $915K / $762K
Burwood — 2 bed: $915K (175 sales) Strathfield — 2 bed: $762K (166 sales)

175 vs 166 sales

3 bed $1.33M / $929K
Burwood — 3 bed: $1.33M (31 sales) Strathfield — 3 bed: $929K (28 sales)

31 vs 28 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.

Burwood Strathfield
2 bed $1.59M / $1.83M
Burwood — 2 bed: $1.59M (8 sales) Strathfield — 2 bed: $1.83M (8 sales)

8 vs 8 sales

3 bed $2.64M / $3.79M
Burwood — 3 bed: $2.64M (39 sales) Strathfield — 3 bed: $3.79M (62 sales)

39 vs 62 sales

4 bed $3.3M / $4.17M
Burwood — 4 bed: $3.3M (33 sales) Strathfield — 4 bed: $4.17M (58 sales)

33 vs 58 sales

5 bed $4.05M / $5.26M
Burwood — 5 bed: $4.05M (10 sales) Strathfield — 5 bed: $5.26M (58 sales)

10 vs 58 sales

Zoning mix

Burwood Strathfield
Residential 92% 80%
Parks and recreation 3% 10%
Infrastructure and transport 2% 5%
Industrial 2% 3%
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

Burwood Strathfield
New dwellings approved 295
across Burwood
 96
across Strathfield
Approvals change year on year +765% +117%

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.

Burwood Strathfield
Houses 2.2%
$1,195/wk on $2.8M
 2.0%
$1,250/wk on $3.25M
Units 5.2%
$850/wk on $845K
 5.5%
$730/wk on $690K

Ranking within NSW

Burwood Strathfield
House price Higher than 93% of NSW Higher than 97% of NSW
Income Higher than 55% of NSW —
Schools Higher than 46% of NSW Higher than 83% of NSW
Walkability Higher than 99% of NSW Higher than 85% of NSW
Affordability Higher than 4% of NSW —
EV adoption Higher than 95% of NSW Higher than 96% of NSW
NBN connectivity Higher than 88% of NSW Higher than 94% of NSW
Rental yield (houses) Higher than 3% of NSW Higher than 2% of NSW
Rental yield (units) Higher than 76% of NSW Higher than 85% of NSW

Liveability

Burwood is more walkable (96 vs 62); Strathfield scores higher overall (76 vs 63).

Burwood Strathfield
Grade B A
Score 63/100 76/100
Socio-economic band advantaged area
decile 8/10
 very advantaged area
decile 10/10

Risk profile

Burwood carries more crime risk (85 vs 64).

Burwood Strathfield
Bushfire None
0/100
same for both
Crime High
85/100
 Moderate
64/100
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 5
within 5 km
 13
within 5 km

Schools

Burwood Strathfield
Inside the suburb 5 12
Rated above peers 1 6
Rated at peers 1
same for both
Rated below peers 1
same for both
Universities within 10 km 3
Strathfield Campus, 2.0 km
 3
Strathfield Campus, 0.0 km
Full-time students aged 15–24 7.4% 7.0%

Schools in Burwood

  • MLC School Independent · Combined above peers
  • Burwood Public School Government · Primary at peers
  • Southern Cross Catholic College Catholic · Secondary below peers
  • MLC School, Art and Design Centre Independent · Combined
  • MLC School, Music Centre Independent · Combined

Schools in Strathfield

  • Marie Bashir Public School Government · Primary above peers
  • Meriden School Independent · Combined above peers
  • St Martha's Catholic Primary School Catholic · Primary above peers
  • St Patrick's College, Strathfield Independent · Combined above peers
  • Strathfield Girls High School Government · Secondary above peers
  • Strathfield South Public School Government · Primary above peers

Amenities in the suburb

Burwood Strathfield
Supermarkets 5 3
Cafes & restaurants 42 44
Parks & reserves 7 21
Childcare 12 15
GPs 10 6
Pharmacies 9 4
Hospitals 1 2
Police stations 1
same for both
Banks & Bank@Post 11 7
Fuel stations 2 3
Waterways 0 1

Mobility

Strathfield sits further from the CBD (15 km vs 12.7 km).

Burwood Strathfield
Walkability score 96/100 62/100
Distance to Sydney 12.7 km 15 km
+18% vs other
Drive time (normal traffic) 20 min 21 min
Public transport score 94/100
Rail · Bus
same for both
Peak arrivals per hour 546.0
7-9am + 5-7pm
 747.0
7-9am + 5-7pm
Median peak wait 0 min
scheduled, not actual
same for both
Electric vehicle share 2.3%
postcode 2134
 2.6%
postcode 2135
Rooftop solar per 100 dwellings 8
postcode 2134
 18
postcode 2135

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.

Burwood Strathfield
Worked from Home 40.4% / 38.1%
Burwood — Worked from Home: 40.4% Strathfield — Worked from Home: 38.1%
Car (driver) 25.6% / 32.9%
Burwood — Car (driver): 25.6% Strathfield — Car (driver): 32.9%
Train 22.6% / 21.7%
Burwood — Train: 22.6% Strathfield — Train: 21.7%
Walked Only 5.6% / 2.4%
Burwood — Walked Only: 5.6% Strathfield — Walked Only: 2.4%
Car (passenger) 2.8% / 3.0%
Burwood — Car (passenger): 2.8% Strathfield — Car (passenger): 3.0%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (40.4%).

Setting

Burwood Strathfield
Elevation 33 m
above sea level, at the suburb centre
 41 m
above sea level, at the suburb centre
Distance to the ocean 9.7 km 11.0 km

NBN connectivity

Burwood Strathfield
Connectivity score 78/100 90/100
Most common technology Hybrid fibre-coaxial Fibre to the premises
Full-fibre (FTTP) share 24%
9,518 premises
 67%
10,918 premises

Climate

Burwood Strathfield
Annual rainfall 1,129 mm 909 mm
Summer max (Jan) 27.5°C 28.7°C
Winter min (Jul) 9.5°C 6.4°C

Air quality (annual mean)

Burwood Strathfield
PM2.5 6.5 µg/m³
same for both
PM10 16.1 µg/m³ 16.5 µg/m³
NO₂ 0.79 pphm 0.9 pphm

Council rates

Burwood Strathfield
Average residential rate $1,663/yr $1,267/yr
Council Burwood Strathfield

Federal electorate

Burwood Strathfield
Division Reid
same for both
Member Sally Sitou
same for both
Party Australian Labor Party
same for both

First Home Owner Grant

Burwood Strathfield
Grant amount $10,000
same for both
Property price cap $600,000
same for both
Eligibility New
same for both

Tags

Burwood

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

Strathfield

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

More comparisons

Other comparisons with Burwood

Burwood vs Concord Burwood vs Croydon Burwood vs Five Dock Burwood vs Enfield Burwood vs Burwood Heights

Other comparisons with Strathfield

Strathfield vs Greenacre Strathfield vs Concord Strathfield vs Homebush Strathfield vs Homebush West Strathfield vs North Strathfield Strathfield vs Strathfield South
Full data on Burwood Full data on Strathfield
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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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