Coolbellup vs Samson

Coolbellup is the younger of the two, with a median age of 37 against 45 in Samson. In both, most households own their home and most homes are detached houses. In Coolbellup, about half of households are people living alone. In Samson, about half of households are couple families. Houses cost more in Samson: a median of $1.19 million, against $905,000 in Coolbellup, and rent is higher there too. On these figures, Coolbellup tends to suit young adults, people living alone, and buyers on a tighter budget, while Samson suits couples and older residents.

Coolbellup and Samson are both close to Perth's CBD, but they differ notably in character and risk profile. Coolbellup is larger and more walkable (score 83), with lower property prices and higher rental yields on houses at 4.3%, though it carries significantly higher crime risk at 85 compared to Samson's 42. Samson attracts a more affluent, established demographic—median household income is $95,316 versus $71,656—with a stronger liveability score of 76 and no bushfire risk, though properties and rents are considerably more expensive. Coolbellup suits buyers prioritising affordability and walkability; Samson appeals to those seeking a quieter, more affluent setting with lower risk exposure.

Written by an AI language model from the figures below. Every number in it is checked against those figures before it is published.

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

Samson

ahead on 4 of the 6 things we measure here

  • carries lower crime risk (42/100 vs 85/100)
  • has more schools rated above their peers (1 vs 0)
  • is already more of a family suburb (59% vs 44%)
  • But Coolbellup has more parks and reserves (11 vs 0)

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

First-home buyers

They split

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

  • Coolbellup has cheaper houses ($905,000 vs $1,190,000)
  • Samson has cheaper units ($485,000 vs $625,000)

Weighs house prices, unit prices, and mortgage stress.

Renters

Coolbellup

ahead on 2 of the 3 things we measure here

  • has a bigger rental market to choose from (38% vs 11%)
  • has cheaper rent ($300/wk vs $380/wk)

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

Commuting to the city

Coolbellup

ahead on the one thing that separates them

  • is more walkable (83/100 vs 66/100)

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

Downsizers and retirees

Coolbellup

ahead on 3 of the 5 things we measure here

  • has more GPs (3 vs 0)
  • has more units and townhouses to downsize into (27% vs 14%)
  • is more walkable (83/100 vs 66/100)
  • But Samson carries lower crime risk (42/100 vs 85/100)

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

Investors

They split

one each way, out of the 2 things we measure here

  • Coolbellup is growing faster (7.0% vs -2.1%)
  • Samson returns a higher gross yield on houses (7.4% vs 4.4%)

Weighs house yield and population growth.

Where they sit

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

Coolbellup Samson
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.

Coolbellup Samson
Walkability 83 / 66
Coolbellup — Walkability: 83/100 Samson — Walkability: 66/100
Safety 15 / 58
Coolbellup — Safety: 15/100 Samson — Safety: 58/100
Low fire risk 82 / 100
Coolbellup — Low fire risk: 82/100 Samson — Low fire risk: 100/100
Low flood risk 100 / 100
Coolbellup — Low flood risk: 100/100 Samson — Low flood risk: 100/100

Demographics

Coolbellup has more residents (5,698 vs 1,881); Samson has higher household incomes ($95,316 vs $71,656).

Coolbellup Samson
Population 5,698
+67% vs other
 1,881
Population trend (2016 → 2021) +7.0% -2.1%
Median age 37 45
Median household income $71,656/yr $95,316/yr
+33% vs other
Median weekly rent $300/wk $380/wk
+27% vs other

Age profile

Share of residents in each band, 2021 Census.

Coolbellup Samson
0-4 6.0% / 5.5%
Coolbellup — 0-4: 6.0% Samson — 0-4: 5.5%
5-14 10.1% / 10.9%
Coolbellup — 5-14: 10.1% Samson — 5-14: 10.9%
15-19 3.9% / 4.6%
Coolbellup — 15-19: 3.9% Samson — 15-19: 4.6%
20-24 7.0% / 5.1%
Coolbellup — 20-24: 7.0% Samson — 20-24: 5.1%
25-34 19.6% / 10.7%
Coolbellup — 25-34: 19.6% Samson — 25-34: 10.7%
35-44 15.3% / 13.5%
Coolbellup — 35-44: 15.3% Samson — 35-44: 13.5%
45-54 12.3% / 10.6%
Coolbellup — 45-54: 12.3% Samson — 45-54: 10.6%
55-64 9.5% / 14.9%
Coolbellup — 55-64: 9.5% Samson — 55-64: 14.9%
65-74 8.0% / 13.9%
Coolbellup — 65-74: 8.0% Samson — 65-74: 13.9%
75-84 6.5% / 8.1%
Coolbellup — 75-84: 6.5% Samson — 75-84: 8.1%
85+ 1.7% / 2.9%
Coolbellup — 85+: 1.7% Samson — 85+: 2.9%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (19.6%).

Who lives together

Household composition, 2021 Census.

Coolbellup 48.3% lone person
Coolbellup — Lone Person: 48.3% Coolbellup — Couple Families: 25.9% Coolbellup — One Parent Families: 17.6% Coolbellup — Group Household: 6.4% Coolbellup — Other Families: 1.8%
Samson 35.3% lone person
Samson — Lone Person: 35.3% Samson — Couple Families: 48.2% Samson — One Parent Families: 11.2% Samson — Group Household: 4.0% Samson — Other Families: 1.3%
Lone Person Couple Families One Parent Families Group Household Other Families

Who owns and who rents

Occupied private dwellings by tenure, 2021 Census.

Coolbellup 38.3% renting
Coolbellup — Owned Outright: 21.1% Coolbellup — Mortgage: 40.7% Coolbellup — Renting: 38.3%
Samson 10.6% renting
Samson — Owned Outright: 48.7% Samson — Mortgage: 40.6% Samson — Renting: 10.6%
Owned outright Mortgage Renting

Qualifications

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

Coolbellup Samson
Certificate III & IV 14.7% / 15.5%
Coolbellup — Certificate III & IV: 14.7% Samson — Certificate III & IV: 15.5%
Bachelor Degree 14.7% / 13.3%
Coolbellup — Bachelor Degree: 14.7% Samson — Bachelor Degree: 13.3%
Advanced Diploma / Diploma 6.8% / 8.3%
Coolbellup — Advanced Diploma / Diploma: 6.8% Samson — Advanced Diploma / Diploma: 8.3%
Postgraduate Degree 4.4% / 3.5%
Coolbellup — Postgraduate Degree: 4.4% Samson — Postgraduate Degree: 3.5%
Graduate Diploma / Certificate 2.3% / 2.6%
Coolbellup — Graduate Diploma / Certificate: 2.3% Samson — Graduate Diploma / Certificate: 2.6%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (15.5%).

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.

Coolbellup Samson
England 6.2% / 7.2%
Coolbellup — England: 6.2% Samson — England: 7.2%
Italy — / 4.7%
Coolbellup — Italy: not among its largest Samson — Italy: 4.7%
New Zealand 2.4% / 2.1%
Coolbellup — New Zealand: 2.4% Samson — New Zealand: 2.1%
Scotland 0.9% / 1.9%
Coolbellup — Scotland: 0.9% Samson — Scotland: 1.9%
India 1.1% / 0.7%
Coolbellup — India: 1.1% Samson — India: 0.7%
Malaysia 1.1% / 0.7%
Coolbellup — Malaysia: 1.1% Samson — Malaysia: 0.7%
Philippines 1.5% / —
Coolbellup — Philippines: 1.5% Samson — Philippines: not among its largest

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (7.2%).

What people live in

Occupied private dwellings by structure, 2021 Census.

Coolbellup 73.3% houses
Coolbellup — Houses: 73.3% Coolbellup — Townhouses: 12.7% Coolbellup — Flats / Apartments: 14.0%
Samson 86.4% houses
Samson — Houses: 86.4% Samson — Townhouses: 12.6% Samson — Flats / Apartments: 1.0%
Houses Townhouses Flats / Apartments

Property market

Coolbellup Samson
Median house price $905,000 $1,190,000
Median unit price $625,000 $485,000
Median land price $510,000 —
Typical days to sell (houses) 22 days
from 78 sales
 27 days
from 5 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.

Coolbellup Samson
3 bed $916K / $1.15M
Coolbellup — 3 bed: $916K (104 sales) Samson — 3 bed: $1.15M (6 sales)

104 vs 6 sales

4 bed $968K / $1.11M
Coolbellup — 4 bed: $968K (34 sales) Samson — 4 bed: $1.11M (10 sales)

34 vs 10 sales

Development activity

Coolbellup Samson
New dwellings approved 1,395
across Cockburn
 176
across Fremantle
Approvals change year on year +14% -27%

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.

Coolbellup Samson
Houses 4.4%
$750/wk on $890K
 7.4%
$770/wk on $539K
Units 5.9%
$680/wk on $595K
 —

Ranking within WA

Coolbellup Samson
House price —
same for both
Income Higher than 34% of WA Higher than 60% of WA
Schools —
same for both
Walkability Higher than 96% of WA Higher than 88% of WA
Affordability —
same for both
EV adoption Higher than 82% of WA Higher than 83% of WA
NBN connectivity Higher than 77% of WA Higher than 84% of WA
Rental yield (houses) Higher than 51% of WA Higher than 96% of WA
Rental yield (units) Higher than 78% of WA —

Liveability

Samson scores higher overall (76 vs 56); Coolbellup is more walkable (83 vs 66).

Coolbellup Samson
Grade B A
Score 56/100 76/100
Socio-economic band mid-range socio-economic
decile 4/10
 advantaged area
decile 7/10

Risk profile

Coolbellup carries more bushfire risk (18 vs 0); Coolbellup carries more crime risk (85 vs 42).

Coolbellup Samson
Bushfire Low
18/100
 None
0/100
Crime High
85/100
 Moderate
42/100
Flood None
0/100
same for both
Coastal erosion None
0/100
same for both
Aircraft noise None
0/100
same for both
Industrial facilities nearby 14
within 5 km
same for both

Schools

Coolbellup Samson
Inside the suburb 2
same for both
Rated above peers 0 1
Rated at peers 0
same for both
Rated below peers 1
same for both
Universities within 10 km 2
Murdoch University (Murdoch), 3.2 km
 2
Murdoch University (Murdoch), 3.8 km
Full-time students aged 15–24 2.3% 1.9%

Schools in Coolbellup

  • Coolbellup Community School Government · Primary below peers
  • Coolbellup Learning Centre Government · Primary · Special school

Schools in Samson

  • Seton Catholic College Catholic · Secondary above peers
  • Samson Primary School Government · Primary below peers

Amenities in the suburb

Coolbellup Samson
Supermarkets 1 0
Cafes & restaurants 1 0
Parks & reserves 11 0
Childcare 4 3
GPs 3 0
Pharmacies 1 0
Banks & Bank@Post 1 0

Mobility

Coolbellup Samson
Walkability score 83/100 66/100
Distance to Perth 20.2 km
+1% vs other
 19.9 km
Drive time (normal traffic) 24 min
same for both
Public transport score 94/100
Bus
 79/100
Bus
Peak arrivals per hour 154.8
7-9am + 5-7pm
 40.0
7-9am + 5-7pm
Median peak wait 0 min
scheduled, not actual
 1 min
scheduled, not actual
Electric vehicle share 1.2%
postcode 6163
same for both
Rooftop solar per 100 dwellings 49
postcode 6163
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.

Coolbellup Samson
Car (driver) 78.6% / 78.8%
Coolbellup — Car (driver): 78.6% Samson — Car (driver): 78.8%
Worked from Home 6.9% / 7.9%
Coolbellup — Worked from Home: 6.9% Samson — Worked from Home: 7.9%
Car (passenger) 4.2% / 6.1%
Coolbellup — Car (passenger): 4.2% Samson — Car (passenger): 6.1%
Train 5.0% / 3.4%
Coolbellup — Train: 5.0% Samson — Train: 3.4%
Bus 3.7% / 2.4%
Coolbellup — Bus: 3.7% Samson — Bus: 2.4%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (78.8%).

Setting

Coolbellup Samson
Elevation 54 m
above sea level, at the suburb centre
 34 m
above sea level, at the suburb centre
Distance to the ocean 4.8 km
4.8 km to a named beach
 4.4 km
4.4 km to a named beach

NBN connectivity

Coolbellup Samson
Connectivity score 64/100 72/100
Most common technology Fibre to the node
same for both
Full-fibre (FTTP) share 35%
3,149 premises
 49%
799 premises

Climate

Coolbellup Samson
Annual rainfall 745 mm
same for both
Summer max (Jan) 31.4°C
same for both
Winter min (Jul) 7.6°C
same for both

Council rates

Coolbellup Samson
Average residential rate $2,754/yr $4,033/yr
Council Cockburn Fremantle

Federal electorate

Coolbellup Samson
Division Fremantle
same for both
Member Josh Wilson
same for both
Party Australian Labor Party
same for both

First Home Owner Grant

Coolbellup Samson
Grant amount $10,000
same for both
Property price cap $800,000
same for both
Eligibility New
same for both

Tags

Coolbellup

Easy Commute Middle-Ring Parks Quiet Transport Hub

Samson

Large Blocks Middle-Ring Quiet

More comparisons

Other comparisons with Coolbellup

Coolbellup vs Hamilton Hill Coolbellup vs Kardinya Coolbellup vs Bibra Lake Coolbellup vs Hilton Coolbellup vs North Lake

Other comparisons with Samson

Samson vs Hamilton Hill Samson vs Kardinya Samson vs Hilton Samson vs O'Connor
Full data on Coolbellup Full data on Samson
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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