Burwood vs Surrey Hills

Burwood is the younger of the two, with a median age of 34 against 42 in Surrey Hills. In both, most households own their home and most homes are detached houses. In Surrey Hills, about half of households are couple families. Houses cost more in Surrey Hills: a median of $2.12 million, against $1.45 million in Burwood, and rent is higher there too. Surrey Hills is closer to the city centre: 13 km, against 15.9 km. On these figures, Burwood tends to suit young adults, share households, and buyers on a tighter budget, while Surrey Hills suits couples.

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

Surrey Hills

ahead on 3 of the 6 things we measure here

  • has more childcare (12 vs 9)
  • is already more of a family suburb (64% vs 50%)
  • carries lower crime risk (51/100 vs 64/100)
  • But Burwood has more parks and reserves (14 vs 9)

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

First-home buyers

Burwood

ahead on 2 of the 3 things we measure here

  • has cheaper houses ($1,447,750 vs $2,125,000)
  • has cheaper units ($688,000 vs $825,000)
  • But Surrey Hills leaves households under less mortgage stress (28% vs 34%)

Weighs house prices, unit prices, and mortgage stress.

Renters

Burwood

ahead on 2 of the 3 things we measure here

  • has a bigger rental market to choose from (39% vs 22%)
  • has cheaper rent ($411/wk vs $462/wk)
  • But Surrey Hills leaves renters under less rental stress (18% vs 24%)

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

Commuting to the city

Surrey Hills

ahead on 2 of the 4 things we measure here

  • sits closer to the CBD (13 km vs 15.9 km)
  • is more walkable (94/100 vs 77/100)

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

Downsizers and retirees

Surrey Hills

ahead on 2 of the 5 things we measure here

  • carries lower crime risk (51/100 vs 64/100)
  • is more walkable (94/100 vs 77/100)
  • But Burwood has more GPs (8 vs 4)

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

Investors

Surrey Hills

ahead on the one thing that separates them

  • returns a higher gross yield on units (4.6% vs 2.7%)

Weighs house yield, unit yield, and population growth.

Where they sit

Burwood and Surrey Hills 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 Surrey Hills
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 Surrey Hills
Walkability 77 / 94
Burwood — Walkability: 77/100 Surrey Hills — Walkability: 94/100
Safety 36 / 49
Burwood — Safety: 36/100 Surrey Hills — Safety: 49/100
Low fire risk 100 / 100
Burwood — Low fire risk: 100/100 Surrey Hills — Low fire risk: 100/100
Low flood risk 65 / 79
Burwood — Low flood risk: 65/100 Surrey Hills — Low flood risk: 79/100

Demographics

Surrey Hills has higher household incomes ($130,156 vs $87,568); Surrey Hills skews older (42 vs 34).

Burwood Surrey Hills
Population 15,147
+10% vs other
 13,655
Population trend (2016 → 2021) +0.9% +0.4%
Median age 34 42
Median household income $87,568/yr $130,156/yr
+49% vs other
Median weekly rent $411/wk $462/wk
+12% vs other

Age profile

Share of residents in each band, 2021 Census.

Burwood Surrey Hills
0-4 4.0% / 3.9%
Burwood — 0-4: 4.0% Surrey Hills — 0-4: 3.9%
5-14 9.4% / 12.6%
Burwood — 5-14: 9.4% Surrey Hills — 5-14: 12.6%
15-19 6.7% / 7.7%
Burwood — 15-19: 6.7% Surrey Hills — 15-19: 7.7%
20-24 13.1% / 6.8%
Burwood — 20-24: 13.1% Surrey Hills — 20-24: 6.8%
25-34 18.3% / 9.8%
Burwood — 25-34: 18.3% Surrey Hills — 25-34: 9.8%
35-44 11.9% / 11.6%
Burwood — 35-44: 11.9% Surrey Hills — 35-44: 11.6%
45-54 11.3% / 15.7%
Burwood — 45-54: 11.3% Surrey Hills — 45-54: 15.7%
55-64 9.2% / 13.1%
Burwood — 55-64: 9.2% Surrey Hills — 55-64: 13.1%
65-74 7.0% / 10.9%
Burwood — 65-74: 7.0% Surrey Hills — 65-74: 10.9%
75-84 5.5% / 5.3%
Burwood — 75-84: 5.5% Surrey Hills — 75-84: 5.3%
85+ 3.6% / 2.7%
Burwood — 85+: 3.6% Surrey Hills — 85+: 2.7%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (18.3%).

Who lives together

Household composition, 2021 Census.

Burwood 36.2% couple families
Burwood — Couple Families: 36.2% Burwood — Lone Person: 35.8% Burwood — One Parent Families: 13.5% Burwood — Group Household: 11.8% Burwood — Other Families: 2.6%
Surrey Hills 52.3% couple families
Surrey Hills — Couple Families: 52.3% Surrey Hills — Lone Person: 31.2% Surrey Hills — One Parent Families: 11.6% Surrey Hills — Group Household: 3.7% Surrey Hills — Other Families: 1.3%
Couple Families Lone Person One Parent Families Group Household Other Families

Who owns and who rents

Occupied private dwellings by tenure, 2021 Census.

Burwood 39.4% renting
Burwood — Owned Outright: 32.0% Burwood — Mortgage: 28.6% Burwood — Renting: 39.4%
Surrey Hills 22.0% renting
Surrey Hills — Owned Outright: 42.6% Surrey Hills — Mortgage: 35.4% Surrey Hills — Renting: 22.0%
Owned outright Mortgage Renting

Qualifications

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

Burwood Surrey Hills
Bachelor Degree 21.9% / 26.5%
Burwood — Bachelor Degree: 21.9% Surrey Hills — Bachelor Degree: 26.5%
Postgraduate Degree 12.0% / 12.8%
Burwood — Postgraduate Degree: 12.0% Surrey Hills — Postgraduate Degree: 12.8%
Advanced Diploma / Diploma 8.2% / 7.5%
Burwood — Advanced Diploma / Diploma: 8.2% Surrey Hills — Advanced Diploma / Diploma: 7.5%
Certificate III & IV 6.1% / 4.5%
Burwood — Certificate III & IV: 6.1% Surrey Hills — Certificate III & IV: 4.5%
Graduate Diploma / Certificate 2.7% / 4.6%
Burwood — Graduate Diploma / Certificate: 2.7% Surrey Hills — Graduate Diploma / Certificate: 4.6%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (26.5%).

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.

Burwood Surrey Hills
China 13.4% / 6.0%
Burwood — China: 13.4% Surrey Hills — China: 6.0%
India 6.2% / 1.5%
Burwood — India: 6.2% Surrey Hills — India: 1.5%
England 2.0% / 3.6%
Burwood — England: 2.0% Surrey Hills — England: 3.6%
Malaysia 3.0% / 2.1%
Burwood — Malaysia: 3.0% Surrey Hills — Malaysia: 2.1%
Sri Lanka 3.2% / 0.7%
Burwood — Sri Lanka: 3.2% Surrey Hills — Sri Lanka: 0.7%
New Zealand 1.0% / 1.3%
Burwood — New Zealand: 1.0% Surrey Hills — New Zealand: 1.3%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (13.4%).

What people live in

Occupied private dwellings by structure, 2021 Census.

Burwood 57.9% houses
Burwood — Houses: 57.9% Burwood — Townhouses: 26.6% Burwood — Flats / Apartments: 15.5%
Surrey Hills 66.9% houses
Surrey Hills — Houses: 66.9% Surrey Hills — Townhouses: 20.5% Surrey Hills — Flats / Apartments: 12.6%
Houses Townhouses Flats / Apartments

Property market

Burwood Surrey Hills
Median house price $1,447,750 $2,125,000
Median unit price $688,000 $825,000
Median land price $1,705,750 —
Typical days to sell (houses) 26 days
from 113 sales
 24 days
from 118 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 Surrey Hills
2 bed $615K / $808K
Burwood — 2 bed: $615K (69 sales) Surrey Hills — 2 bed: $808K (88 sales)

69 vs 88 sales

3 bed $990K / $995K
Burwood — 3 bed: $990K (31 sales) Surrey Hills — 3 bed: $995K (21 sales)

31 vs 21 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 Surrey Hills
3 bed $1.3M / $1.88M
Burwood — 3 bed: $1.3M (68 sales) Surrey Hills — 3 bed: $1.88M (58 sales)

68 vs 58 sales

4 bed $1.57M / $2.28M
Burwood — 4 bed: $1.57M (68 sales) Surrey Hills — 4 bed: $2.28M (76 sales)

68 vs 76 sales

5 bed $1.64M / $2.94M
Burwood — 5 bed: $1.64M (20 sales) Surrey Hills — 5 bed: $2.94M (23 sales)

20 vs 23 sales

Zoning mix

Burwood has more commercially zoned land (28% vs 4%).

Burwood Surrey Hills
Residential 42% 87%
Commercial 28% 4%
Parks and recreation 15% 3%
Infrastructure and transport 12% 5%
Other and special use 2% 0%
Planning zones cover 100% of Burwood and 99% of Surrey Hills. The rest is unzoned land such as water or road reserve.
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 Surrey Hills
New dwellings approved 879
across Whitehorse
 711
across Boroondara
Approvals change year on year +17% -40%

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 Surrey Hills
Houses 3.3%
$805/wk on $1.25M
 3.2%
$1,200/wk on $1.97M
Units 2.7%
$320/wk on $614K
 4.6%
$700/wk on $788K

Ranking within VIC

Burwood Surrey Hills
House price Higher than 88% of VIC Higher than 97% of VIC
Income Higher than 57% of VIC —
Schools Higher than 78% of VIC Higher than 83% of VIC
Walkability Higher than 92% of VIC Higher than 98% of VIC
Affordability Higher than 6% of VIC —
EV adoption Higher than 96% of VIC Higher than 98% of VIC
NBN connectivity Higher than 90% of VIC Higher than 84% of VIC
Rental yield (houses) Higher than 29% of VIC Higher than 21% of VIC
Rental yield (units) Higher than 1% of VIC Higher than 39% of VIC

Liveability

Surrey Hills is more walkable (94 vs 77); Surrey Hills scores higher overall (92 vs 77).

Burwood Surrey Hills
Grade A A+
Score 77/100 92/100
Socio-economic band very advantaged area
decile 9/10
 very advantaged area
decile 10/10

Risk profile

Burwood carries more flood risk (35 vs 21); Burwood carries more crime risk (64 vs 51).

Burwood Surrey Hills
Bushfire None
0/100
same for both
Crime Moderate
64/100
 Moderate
51/100
Flood Low
35/100
 Low
21/100
Coastal erosion None
0/100
same for both
Aircraft noise None
0/100
same for both
Industrial facilities nearby 2
within 5 km
same for both

Schools

Burwood Surrey Hills
Inside the suburb 5 4
Rated above peers 2
same for both
Rated at peers 0 1
Rated below peers 2 1
Universities within 10 km 3
Deakin University, Melbourne Burwood Campus, 0.0 km
 3
Deakin University, Melbourne Burwood Campus, 2.8 km
Full-time students aged 15–24 9.3% 5.1%

Schools in Burwood

  • Presbyterian Ladies' College Independent · Combined above peers
  • Wattle Park Primary School Government · Primary above peers
  • Mount Scopus Memorial College Independent · Combined below peers
  • St Scholastica's School Catholic · Primary below peers
  • Emmaus College - Burwood Campus Catholic · Combined

Schools in Surrey Hills

  • Chatham Primary School Government · Primary above peers
  • Our Holy Redeemer School Catholic · Primary above peers
  • Surrey Hills Primary School Government · Primary at peers
  • Our Lady of Perpetual Succour School Catholic · Primary below peers

Amenities in the suburb

Burwood Surrey Hills
Supermarkets 0 1
Cafes & restaurants 20 13
Parks & reserves 14 9
Childcare 9 12
GPs 8 4
Pharmacies 1 4
Police stations 1 0
Banks & Bank@Post 1 3
Fuel stations 4 1
Waterways 5 11

Mobility

Burwood sits further from the CBD (15.9 km vs 13 km).

Burwood Surrey Hills
Walkability score 77/100 94/100
Distance to Melbourne 15.9 km
+18% vs other
 13 km
Drive time (normal traffic) 25 min 27 min
Public transport score 80/100
Tram · Bus
 94/100
Rail · Tram · Bus
Peak arrivals per hour 401.8
7-9am + 5-7pm
 201.5
7-9am + 5-7pm
Median peak wait 0 min
scheduled, not actual
same for both
Electric vehicle share 2.4%
postcode 3125
 2.8%
postcode 3127
Rooftop solar per 100 dwellings 21
postcode 3125
 22
postcode 3127

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 Surrey Hills
Worked from Home 36.7% / 51.7%
Burwood — Worked from Home: 36.7% Surrey Hills — Worked from Home: 51.7%
Car (driver) 49.3% / 37.2%
Burwood — Car (driver): 49.3% Surrey Hills — Car (driver): 37.2%
Train 3.0% / 4.5%
Burwood — Train: 3.0% Surrey Hills — Train: 4.5%
Car (passenger) 3.6% / 2.7%
Burwood — Car (passenger): 3.6% Surrey Hills — Car (passenger): 2.7%
Walked Only 2.2% / 2.3%
Burwood — Walked Only: 2.2% Surrey Hills — Walked Only: 2.3%
Bus 2.8% / 0.4%
Burwood — Bus: 2.8% Surrey Hills — Bus: 0.4%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (51.7%).

Setting

Burwood Surrey Hills
Elevation 55 m
above sea level, at the suburb centre
 110 m
above sea level, at the suburb centre
Distance to the ocean 12.0 km 11.8 km

NBN connectivity

Burwood Surrey Hills
Connectivity score 81/100 76/100
Most common technology Hybrid fibre-coaxial
same for both
Full-fibre (FTTP) share 26%
7,810 premises
 3%
6,292 premises

Climate

Burwood Surrey Hills
Annual rainfall 777 mm
same for both
Summer max (Jan) 26.9°C
same for both
Winter min (Jul) 6.3°C
same for both

Air quality (annual mean)

Burwood Surrey Hills
PM2.5 4.3 µg/m³
same for both
PM10 —
same for both
NO₂ —
same for both

Council rates

Burwood Surrey Hills
Average residential rate $1,516/yr $2,253/yr
Council Whitehorse Boroondara

Federal electorate

Burwood Surrey Hills
Division Chisholm Kooyong
Member Carina Garland Monique Ryan
Party Australian Labor Party Independent

First Home Owner Grant

Burwood Surrey Hills
Grant amount $10,000
same for both
Property price cap $750,000
same for both
Eligibility New
same for both

Tags

Burwood

Middle-Ring Multicultural Parks Premium Professionals River Townhouses Trams Transport Hub

Surrey Hills

Easy Commute Luxury Middle-Ring Parks Professionals River Townhouses Trams Transport Hub Urban

More comparisons

Other comparisons with Burwood

Burwood vs Mount Waverley Burwood vs Glen Iris Burwood vs Camberwell Burwood vs Blackburn South Burwood vs Burwood East Burwood vs Box Hill South

Other comparisons with Surrey Hills

Surrey Hills vs Camberwell Surrey Hills vs Box Hill Surrey Hills vs Balwyn Surrey Hills vs Box Hill South Surrey Hills vs Canterbury Surrey Hills vs Mont Albert
Full data on Burwood Full data on Surrey Hills
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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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