Cliftleigh vs Heddon Greta

Cliftleigh is the younger of the two, with a median age of 27 against 33 in Heddon Greta. In both, the large majority of homes are detached houses. In Cliftleigh, about half of households rent and about half of households are couple families. In Heddon Greta, most households own their home and most households are couple families. On these figures, Cliftleigh tends to suit renters, young adults, and families with children.

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

Too close to call

Nothing among the 6 things we measure here separates them by enough to be worth acting on.

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

First-home buyers

Too close to call

Nothing among the 2 things we measure here separates them by enough to be worth acting on.

Weighs house prices and mortgage stress.

Renters

Cliftleigh

ahead on the one thing that separates them

  • has a bigger rental market to choose from (47% vs 26%)

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

Commuting to the city

Heddon Greta

ahead on the one thing that separates them

  • sits closer to the CBD (157.6 km vs 159.8 km)

Weighs distance, drive time, and walkability.

Downsizers and retirees

Too close to call

Nothing among the 5 things we measure here separates them by enough to be worth acting on.

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

Investors

Cliftleigh

ahead on 2 of the 2 things we measure here

  • is growing faster (160.0% vs 38.6%)
  • returns a higher gross yield on houses (4.3% vs 3.7%)

Weighs house yield and population growth.

Where they sit

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

Cliftleigh Heddon Greta
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.

Cliftleigh Heddon Greta
Walkability 26 / 27
Cliftleigh — Walkability: 26/100 Heddon Greta — Walkability: 27/100
Safety 23 / 25
Cliftleigh — Safety: 23/100 Heddon Greta — Safety: 25/100
Low fire risk 100 / 38
Cliftleigh — Low fire risk: 100/100 Heddon Greta — Low fire risk: 38/100

Demographics

Heddon Greta skews older (33 vs 27).

Cliftleigh Heddon Greta
Population 2,309 2,838
+23% vs other
Population trend (2016 → 2021) +160.0% +38.6%
Median age 27 33
Median household income $104,936/yr $110,760/yr
+6% vs other
Median weekly rent $435/wk
+3% vs other
 $420/wk

Age profile

Share of residents in each band, 2021 Census.

Cliftleigh Heddon Greta
0-4 11.9% / 8.7%
Cliftleigh — 0-4: 11.9% Heddon Greta — 0-4: 8.7%
5-14 16.0% / 15.0%
Cliftleigh — 5-14: 16.0% Heddon Greta — 5-14: 15.0%
15-19 5.8% / 6.0%
Cliftleigh — 15-19: 5.8% Heddon Greta — 15-19: 6.0%
20-24 8.5% / 6.2%
Cliftleigh — 20-24: 8.5% Heddon Greta — 20-24: 6.2%
25-34 26.9% / 17.5%
Cliftleigh — 25-34: 26.9% Heddon Greta — 25-34: 17.5%
35-44 13.3% / 14.5%
Cliftleigh — 35-44: 13.3% Heddon Greta — 35-44: 14.5%
45-54 6.9% / 11.3%
Cliftleigh — 45-54: 6.9% Heddon Greta — 45-54: 11.3%
55-64 5.0% / 11.3%
Cliftleigh — 55-64: 5.0% Heddon Greta — 55-64: 11.3%
65-74 4.4% / 7.3%
Cliftleigh — 65-74: 4.4% Heddon Greta — 65-74: 7.3%
75-84 1.2% / 1.9%
Cliftleigh — 75-84: 1.2% Heddon Greta — 75-84: 1.9%
85+ 0.4% / 0.6%
Cliftleigh — 85+: 0.4% Heddon Greta — 85+: 0.6%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (26.9%).

Who lives together

Household composition, 2021 Census.

Cliftleigh 51.1% couple families
Cliftleigh — Couple Families: 51.1% Cliftleigh — One Parent Families: 24.7% Cliftleigh — Lone Person: 20.0% Cliftleigh — Group Household: 4.2% Cliftleigh — Other Families: 0.0%
Heddon Greta 58.5% couple families
Heddon Greta — Couple Families: 58.5% Heddon Greta — One Parent Families: 20.3% Heddon Greta — Lone Person: 18.3% Heddon Greta — Group Household: 1.8% Heddon Greta — Other Families: 1.2%
Couple Families One Parent Families Lone Person Group Household Other Families

Who owns and who rents

Occupied private dwellings by tenure, 2021 Census.

Cliftleigh 47.1% renting
Cliftleigh — Owned Outright: 12.1% Cliftleigh — Mortgage: 40.8% Cliftleigh — Renting: 47.1%
Heddon Greta 25.9% renting
Heddon Greta — Owned Outright: 24.0% Heddon Greta — Mortgage: 50.1% Heddon Greta — Renting: 25.9%
Owned outright Mortgage Renting

Qualifications

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

Cliftleigh Heddon Greta
Certificate III & IV 20.7% / 23.9%
Cliftleigh — Certificate III & IV: 20.7% Heddon Greta — Certificate III & IV: 23.9%
Bachelor Degree 7.2% / 6.0%
Cliftleigh — Bachelor Degree: 7.2% Heddon Greta — Bachelor Degree: 6.0%
Advanced Diploma / Diploma 6.5% / 6.6%
Cliftleigh — Advanced Diploma / Diploma: 6.5% Heddon Greta — Advanced Diploma / Diploma: 6.6%
Postgraduate Degree 1.3% / 0.7%
Cliftleigh — Postgraduate Degree: 1.3% Heddon Greta — Postgraduate Degree: 0.7%
Graduate Diploma / Certificate 1.1% / 0.7%
Cliftleigh — Graduate Diploma / Certificate: 1.1% Heddon Greta — Graduate Diploma / Certificate: 0.7%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (23.9%).

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.

Cliftleigh Heddon Greta
Philippines 2.5% / 0.3%
Cliftleigh — Philippines: 2.5% Heddon Greta — Philippines: 0.3%
England 1.3% / 1.0%
Cliftleigh — England: 1.3% Heddon Greta — England: 1.0%
India 0.7% / 0.4%
Cliftleigh — India: 0.7% Heddon Greta — India: 0.4%
Scotland 0.4% / 0.5%
Cliftleigh — Scotland: 0.4% Heddon Greta — Scotland: 0.5%
New Zealand 0.3% / 0.4%
Cliftleigh — New Zealand: 0.3% Heddon Greta — New Zealand: 0.4%
South Africa 0.4% / —
Cliftleigh — South Africa: 0.4% Heddon Greta — South Africa: not among its largest

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (2.5%).

What people live in

Occupied private dwellings by structure, 2021 Census.

Cliftleigh 94.1% houses
Cliftleigh — Houses: 94.1% Cliftleigh — Townhouses: 5.2% Cliftleigh — Flats / Apartments: 0.7%
Heddon Greta 93.8% houses
Heddon Greta — Houses: 93.8% Heddon Greta — Townhouses: 5.6% Heddon Greta — Flats / Apartments: 0.6%
Houses Townhouses Flats / Apartments

Property market

Cliftleigh Heddon Greta
Median house price $814,000 $860,000
Median unit price — $650,000
Median land price $374,000 —
Typical days to sell (houses) 28 days
from 46 sales
 24 days
from 71 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.

Cliftleigh Heddon Greta
3 bed $742K / $740K
Cliftleigh — 3 bed: $742K (11 sales) Heddon Greta — 3 bed: $740K (29 sales)

11 vs 29 sales

4 bed $812K / $870K
Cliftleigh — 4 bed: $812K (88 sales) Heddon Greta — 4 bed: $870K (73 sales)

88 vs 73 sales

5 bed $1.05M / $1.09M
Cliftleigh — 5 bed: $1.05M (8 sales) Heddon Greta — 5 bed: $1.09M (12 sales)

8 vs 12 sales

Zoning mix

Cliftleigh has more rural and farming land (39% vs 27%).

Cliftleigh Heddon Greta
Residential 30% 42%
Rural and farming 39% 27%
Environmental 17% 14%
Parks and recreation 12% 10%
Infrastructure and transport 2% 6%
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

Cliftleigh Heddon Greta
New dwellings approved 719
across Cessnock
same for both
Approvals change year on year -31%
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.

Cliftleigh Heddon Greta
Houses 4.3%
$700/wk on $838K
 3.7%
$650/wk on $910K
Units —
same for both

Ranking within NSW

Cliftleigh Heddon Greta
House price Higher than 30% of NSW Higher than 36% of NSW
Income Higher than 71% of NSW Higher than 77% of NSW
Schools —
same for both
Walkability Higher than 73% of NSW Higher than 74% of NSW
Affordability Higher than 84% of NSW Higher than 82% of NSW
EV adoption Higher than 57% of NSW
same for both
NBN connectivity Higher than 96% of NSW Higher than 92% of NSW
Rental yield (houses) Higher than 87% of NSW Higher than 58% of NSW

Liveability

Cliftleigh scores higher overall (42 vs 27).

Cliftleigh Heddon Greta
Grade C D
Score 42/100 27/100
Socio-economic band mid-range socio-economic
decile 4/10
same for both

Risk profile

Heddon Greta carries more bushfire risk (62 vs 0).

Cliftleigh Heddon Greta
Bushfire None
0/100
 Moderate
62/100
Crime High
77/100
 High
75/100
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 3
within 5 km
 2
within 5 km

Schools

Cliftleigh Heddon Greta
Inside the suburb 0
same for both
Rated above peers 0
same for both
Rated at peers 0
same for both
Rated below peers 0
same for both

Amenities in the suburb

Cliftleigh Heddon Greta
Cafes & restaurants 0 1
Parks & reserves 0 1
Childcare 1 0
GPs 0 1
Fuel stations 1 2

Mobility

Cliftleigh sits further from the CBD (159.8 km vs 157.6 km).

Cliftleigh Heddon Greta
Walkability score 26/100 27/100
Distance to Sydney 159.8 km
+1% vs other
 157.6 km
Drive time (normal traffic) 115 min 112 min
Public transport score 64/100
Bus
 76/100
Bus
Peak arrivals per hour 21.8
7-9am + 5-7pm
 37.2
7-9am + 5-7pm
Median peak wait 1 min
scheduled, not actual
same for both
Electric vehicle share 0.6%
postcode 2321
same for both
Rooftop solar per 100 dwellings 69
postcode 2321
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.

Cliftleigh Heddon Greta
Car (driver) 77.8% / 78.3%
Cliftleigh — Car (driver): 77.8% Heddon Greta — Car (driver): 78.3%
Worked from Home 16.8% / 16.8%
Cliftleigh — Worked from Home: 16.8% Heddon Greta — Worked from Home: 16.8%
Car (passenger) 3.8% / 3.4%
Cliftleigh — Car (passenger): 3.8% Heddon Greta — Car (passenger): 3.4%
Walked Only 0.4% / 0.7%
Cliftleigh — Walked Only: 0.4% Heddon Greta — Walked Only: 0.7%
Train 0.9% / —
Cliftleigh — Train: 0.9% Heddon Greta — Train: not among its largest
Bus 0.3% / 0.5%
Cliftleigh — Bus: 0.3% Heddon Greta — Bus: 0.5%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (78.3%).

Setting

Cliftleigh Heddon Greta
Elevation 12 m
above sea level, at the suburb centre
 32 m
above sea level, at the suburb centre
Distance to the ocean 24.9 km 25.3 km

NBN connectivity

Cliftleigh Heddon Greta
Connectivity score 95/100 85/100
Most common technology Fibre to the premises
same for both
Full-fibre (FTTP) share 91%
1,087 premises
 66%
1,528 premises

Climate

Cliftleigh Heddon Greta
Annual rainfall 804 mm
same for both
Summer max (Jan) 30.0°C
same for both
Winter min (Jul) 5.1°C
same for both

Air quality (annual mean)

Cliftleigh Heddon Greta
PM2.5 6.3 µg/m³
same for both
PM10 17.5 µg/m³
same for both
NO₂ 0.72 pphm
same for both

Council rates

Cliftleigh Heddon Greta
Average residential rate $1,405/yr
same for both
Council Cessnock
same for both

Federal electorate

Cliftleigh Heddon Greta
Division Paterson
same for both
Member Meryl Swanson
same for both
Party Australian Labor Party
same for both

First Home Owner Grant

Cliftleigh Heddon Greta
Grant amount $10,000
same for both
Property price cap $600,000
same for both
Eligibility New
same for both

Tags

Cliftleigh

Family Large Blocks Young Families

Heddon Greta

Family Large Blocks Quiet Young Families

More comparisons

Other comparisons with Cliftleigh

Cliftleigh vs Gillieston Heights Cliftleigh vs Louth Park Cliftleigh vs Buchanan

Other comparisons with Heddon Greta

Heddon Greta vs Kurri Kurri Heddon Greta vs Stanford Merthyr Heddon Greta vs Buchanan
Full data on Cliftleigh Full data on Heddon Greta
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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