Cromer vs Dee Why

Dee Why is the younger of the two, with a median age of 36 against 41 in Cromer. In Cromer, the large majority of households own their home, the large majority of homes are detached houses, and most households are couple families. In Dee Why, about half of households rent and the large majority of homes are flats or apartments. Dee Why is closer to the city centre: 18.4 km, against 23.3 km. On these figures, Cromer tends to suit families with children and couples, while Dee Why suits renters, young adults, and people living alone.

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

Cromer

ahead on 4 of the 6 things we measure here

  • has more separate houses rather than flats (78% vs 15%)
  • has more parks and reserves (24 vs 12)
  • is already more of a family suburb (72% vs 50%)
  • But Dee Why has more schools rated above their peers (1 vs 0)

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

First-home buyers

Too close to call

Nothing among the 3 things we measure here separates them by enough to be worth acting on.

Weighs house prices, unit prices, and mortgage stress.

Renters

Dee Why

ahead on 2 of the 3 things we measure here

  • has a bigger rental market to choose from (48% vs 16%)
  • has cheaper rent ($550/wk vs $650/wk)

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

Commuting to the city

Dee Why

ahead on 3 of the 4 things we measure here

  • is more walkable (90/100 vs 50/100)
  • sits closer to the CBD (18.4 km vs 23.3 km)
  • has a shorter drive in (30 min vs 35 min)

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

Downsizers and retirees

Dee Why

ahead on 3 of the 5 things we measure here

  • has more GPs (5 vs 0)
  • has more units and townhouses to downsize into (85% vs 22%)
  • is more walkable (90/100 vs 50/100)
  • But Cromer has more residents already 65 and over (19% vs 12%)

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

Investors

Too close to call

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

Weighs house yield and population growth.

Where they sit

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

Cromer Dee Why
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.

Cromer Dee Why
Walkability 50 / 90
Cromer — Walkability: 50/100 Dee Why — Walkability: 90/100
Safety 67 / 57
Cromer — Safety: 67/100 Dee Why — Safety: 57/100
Low fire risk 8 / 100
Cromer — Low fire risk: 8/100 Dee Why — Low fire risk: 100/100

Demographics

Dee Why has more residents (23,354 vs 8,030); Cromer rents higher ($650/wk vs $550/wk).

Cromer Dee Why
Population 8,030 23,354
+191% vs other
Population trend (2016 → 2021) +5.8% +8.5%
Median age 41 36
Median household income $129,116/yr
+15% vs other
 $109,512/yr
Median weekly rent $650/wk
+15% vs other
 $550/wk

Age profile

Share of residents in each band, 2021 Census.

Cromer Dee Why
0-4 6.0% / 6.3%
Cromer — 0-4: 6.0% Dee Why — 0-4: 6.3%
5-14 14.9% / 8.7%
Cromer — 5-14: 14.9% Dee Why — 5-14: 8.7%
15-19 7.3% / 3.7%
Cromer — 15-19: 7.3% Dee Why — 15-19: 3.7%
20-24 5.1% / 6.3%
Cromer — 20-24: 5.1% Dee Why — 20-24: 6.3%
25-34 8.1% / 21.1%
Cromer — 25-34: 8.1% Dee Why — 25-34: 21.1%
35-44 13.3% / 18.0%
Cromer — 35-44: 13.3% Dee Why — 35-44: 18.0%
45-54 15.7% / 13.0%
Cromer — 45-54: 15.7% Dee Why — 45-54: 13.0%
55-64 11.1% / 10.9%
Cromer — 55-64: 11.1% Dee Why — 55-64: 10.9%
65-74 9.1% / 6.8%
Cromer — 65-74: 9.1% Dee Why — 65-74: 6.8%
75-84 6.8% / 3.7%
Cromer — 75-84: 6.8% Dee Why — 75-84: 3.7%
85+ 2.7% / 1.5%
Cromer — 85+: 2.7% Dee Why — 85+: 1.5%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (21.1%).

Who lives together

Household composition, 2021 Census.

Cromer 60.2% couple families
Cromer — Couple Families: 60.2% Cromer — Lone Person: 24.7% Cromer — One Parent Families: 12.2% Cromer — Group Household: 2.1% Cromer — Other Families: 0.8%
Dee Why 35.7% couple families
Dee Why — Couple Families: 35.7% Dee Why — Lone Person: 40.7% Dee Why — One Parent Families: 13.9% Dee Why — Group Household: 8.1% Dee Why — Other Families: 1.6%
Couple Families Lone Person One Parent Families Group Household Other Families

Who owns and who rents

Occupied private dwellings by tenure, 2021 Census.

Cromer 16.2% renting
Cromer — Owned Outright: 38.8% Cromer — Mortgage: 45.0% Cromer — Renting: 16.2%
Dee Why 48.5% renting
Dee Why — Owned Outright: 21.5% Dee Why — Mortgage: 30.0% Dee Why — Renting: 48.5%
Owned outright Mortgage Renting

Qualifications

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

Cromer Dee Why
Bachelor Degree 15.6% / 21.2%
Cromer — Bachelor Degree: 15.6% Dee Why — Bachelor Degree: 21.2%
Certificate III & IV 12.8% / 11.4%
Cromer — Certificate III & IV: 12.8% Dee Why — Certificate III & IV: 11.4%
Advanced Diploma / Diploma 9.7% / 10.5%
Cromer — Advanced Diploma / Diploma: 9.7% Dee Why — Advanced Diploma / Diploma: 10.5%
Postgraduate Degree 4.2% / 7.5%
Cromer — Postgraduate Degree: 4.2% Dee Why — Postgraduate Degree: 7.5%
Graduate Diploma / Certificate 1.8% / 2.1%
Cromer — Graduate Diploma / Certificate: 1.8% Dee Why — Graduate Diploma / Certificate: 2.1%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (21.2%).

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.

Cromer Dee Why
England 6.5% / 5.9%
Cromer — England: 6.5% Dee Why — England: 5.9%
Brazil 0.9% / 4.2%
Cromer — Brazil: 0.9% Dee Why — Brazil: 4.2%
New Zealand 2.0% / 2.6%
Cromer — New Zealand: 2.0% Dee Why — New Zealand: 2.6%
China 1.0% / 3.6%
Cromer — China: 1.0% Dee Why — China: 3.6%
Nepal — / 3.2%
Cromer — Nepal: not among its largest Dee Why — Nepal: 3.2%
India — / 3.2%
Cromer — India: not among its largest Dee Why — India: 3.2%
South Africa 1.1% / 1.3%
Cromer — South Africa: 1.1% Dee Why — South Africa: 1.3%
Italy 1.4% / —
Cromer — Italy: 1.4% Dee Why — Italy: not among its largest

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (6.5%).

What people live in

Occupied private dwellings by structure, 2021 Census.

Cromer 78.1% houses
Cromer — Houses: 78.1% Cromer — Flats / Apartments: 9.6% Cromer — Townhouses: 12.3%
Dee Why 15.3% houses
Dee Why — Houses: 15.3% Dee Why — Flats / Apartments: 82.2% Dee Why — Townhouses: 2.4%
Houses Flats / Apartments Townhouses

Property market

Cromer Dee Why
Median house price $2,400,000 $2,520,000
Median unit price $925,000 $982,500
Median land price —
same for both
Typical days to sell (houses) 22 days
from 59 sales
 21 days
from 37 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.

Cromer Dee Why
1 bed $768K / $770K
Cromer — 1 bed: $768K (6 sales) Dee Why — 1 bed: $770K (109 sales)

6 vs 109 sales

2 bed $974K / $1.05M
Cromer — 2 bed: $974K (6 sales) Dee Why — 2 bed: $1.05M (285 sales)

6 vs 285 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.

Cromer Dee Why
3 bed $2.1M / $2.33M
Cromer — 3 bed: $2.1M (42 sales) Dee Why — 3 bed: $2.33M (20 sales)

42 vs 20 sales

4 bed $2.42M / $2.69M
Cromer — 4 bed: $2.42M (42 sales) Dee Why — 4 bed: $2.69M (14 sales)

42 vs 14 sales

5 bed $2.88M / $2.98M
Cromer — 5 bed: $2.88M (30 sales) Dee Why — 5 bed: $2.98M (5 sales)

30 vs 5 sales

Zoning mix

Cromer Dee Why
Residential 32% 81%
Other and special use 23% 0%
Parks and recreation 21% 15%
Infrastructure and transport 16% 2%
Industrial 7% 1%
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

Cromer Dee Why
New dwellings approved 620
across Northern Beaches
same for both
Approvals change year on year +51%
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.

Cromer Dee Why
Houses 4.2%
$1,600/wk on $2M
 4.0%
$1,550/wk on $2M
Units — 4.4%
$825/wk on $970K

Ranking within NSW

Cromer Dee Why
House price Higher than 89% of NSW Higher than 93% of NSW
Income Higher than 88% of NSW Higher than 75% of NSW
Schools — Higher than 54% of NSW
Walkability Higher than 81% of NSW Higher than 96% of NSW
Affordability Higher than 20% of NSW Higher than 7% of NSW
EV adoption Higher than 89% of NSW
same for both
NBN connectivity Higher than 86% of NSW Higher than 87% of NSW
Rental yield (houses) Higher than 81% of NSW Higher than 75% of NSW
Rental yield (units) — Higher than 41% of NSW

Liveability

Dee Why is more walkable (90 vs 50); Dee Why scores higher overall (75 vs 55).

Cromer Dee Why
Grade B A
Score 55/100 75/100
Socio-economic band very advantaged area
decile 10/10
 very advantaged area
decile 9/10

Risk profile

Cromer carries more bushfire risk (92 vs 0); Dee Why carries more crime risk (43 vs 33).

Cromer Dee Why
Bushfire High
92/100
 None
0/100
Crime Low
33/100
 Moderate
43/100
Flood Not mapped
no mapped data here
same for both
Coastal erosion None
0/100
 Moderate
42/100
Aircraft noise None
0/100
same for both
Industrial facilities nearby 2
within 5 km
same for both

Schools

Cromer Dee Why
Inside the suburb 2 4
Rated above peers 0 1
Rated at peers 2
same for both
Rated below peers 0
same for both

Schools in Cromer

  • Cromer Public School Government · Primary at peers
  • Northern Beaches Secondary College Cromer Campus Government · Secondary at peers

Schools in Dee Why

  • St Kevin's Catholic Primary School Catholic · Primary above peers
  • Dee Why Public School Government · Primary at peers
  • St Luke's Grammar School Independent · Combined at peers
  • Fisher Road School Government · Combined · Special school

Amenities in the suburb

Cromer Dee Why
Supermarkets 0 8
Cafes & restaurants 3 32
Parks & reserves 24 12
Childcare 5 9
GPs 0 5
Pharmacies 0 9
Police stations 0 1
Banks & Bank@Post 0 6
Fuel stations 1 4
EV chargers 0 1
Waterways 7 0

Mobility

Cromer sits further from the CBD (23.3 km vs 18.4 km).

Cromer Dee Why
Walkability score 50/100 90/100
Distance to Sydney 23.3 km
+21% vs other
 18.4 km
Drive time (normal traffic) 35 min 30 min
Public transport score 79/100
Bus
 94/100
Bus
Peak arrivals per hour 210.8
7-9am + 5-7pm
 472.5
7-9am + 5-7pm
Median peak wait 0 min
scheduled, not actual
same for both
Electric vehicle share 1.4%
postcode 2099
same for both
Rooftop solar per 100 dwellings 17
postcode 2099
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.

Cromer Dee Why
Car (driver) 48.2% / 42.5%
Cromer — Car (driver): 48.2% Dee Why — Car (driver): 42.5%
Worked from Home 44.7% / 38.2%
Cromer — Worked from Home: 44.7% Dee Why — Worked from Home: 38.2%
Bus 2.4% / 10.0%
Cromer — Bus: 2.4% Dee Why — Bus: 10.0%
Car (passenger) 3.1% / 3.2%
Cromer — Car (passenger): 3.1% Dee Why — Car (passenger): 3.2%
Walked Only 1.1% / 4.7%
Cromer — Walked Only: 1.1% Dee Why — Walked Only: 4.7%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (48.2%).

Setting

Cromer Dee Why
Elevation 24 m
above sea level, at the suburb centre
 17 m
above sea level, at the suburb centre
Distance to the ocean 2.9 km
3.0 km to a named beach
 694 m
886 m to a named beach

NBN connectivity

Cromer Dee Why
Connectivity score 76/100 77/100
Most common technology Hybrid fibre-coaxial Fibre to the curb
Full-fibre (FTTP) share 8%
3,226 premises
 11%
11,525 premises

Climate

Cromer Dee Why
Annual rainfall 1,176 mm
same for both
Summer max (Jan) —
same for both
Winter min (Jul) —
same for both

Air quality (annual mean)

Cromer Dee Why
PM2.5 5.4 µg/m³ 6.3 µg/m³
PM10 14.2 µg/m³ 13.8 µg/m³
NO₂ 0.23 pphm 0.84 pphm

Council rates

Cromer Dee Why
Average residential rate $1,696/yr
same for both
Council Northern Beaches
same for both

Federal electorate

Cromer Dee Why
Division Mackellar
same for both
Member Sophie Scamps
same for both
Party Independent
same for both

First Home Owner Grant

Cromer Dee Why
Grant amount $10,000
same for both
Property price cap $600,000
same for both
Eligibility New
same for both

Tags

Cromer

Coastal Middle-Ring Parks Premium Quiet

Dee Why

Apartments Beach Cafe Culture Coastal Easy Commute Middle-Ring Parks Transport Hub Urban

More comparisons

Other comparisons with Cromer

Cromer vs Narrabeen Cromer vs Collaroy Cromer vs Narraweena Cromer vs Collaroy Plateau Cromer vs Wheeler Heights Cromer vs Ingleside

Other comparisons with Dee Why

Dee Why vs Collaroy Dee Why vs Narraweena Dee Why vs North Curl Curl Dee Why vs Brookvale
Full data on Cromer Full data on Dee Why
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.

Save this page for later

We'll email you a link to this page so you can finish reading it on any device. We use your address once to send it and don't keep it.

or