Darlinghurst vs Surry Hills

In both, most households rent, most homes are flats or apartments, and most households are people living alone. Surry Hills is closer to the city centre: 2.9 km, against 3.3 km.

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

Surry Hills

ahead on 2 of the 6 things we measure here

  • has more childcare (10 vs 3)
  • has more schools rated above their peers (2 vs 0)

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

First-home buyers

Surry Hills

ahead on the one thing that separates them

  • has cheaper houses ($2,432,500 vs $2,862,500)

Weighs house prices, unit prices, and mortgage stress.

Renters

Too close to call

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

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

Commuting to the city

Too close to call

Nothing among the 4 things we measure here separates them by enough to be worth acting on.

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

Downsizers and retirees

Surry Hills

ahead on the one thing that separates them

  • has more GPs (10 vs 4)

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

Investors

They split

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

  • Darlinghurst returns a higher gross yield on units (5.3% vs 4.4%)
  • Surry Hills returns a higher gross yield on houses (3.1% vs 2.5%)

Weighs house yield, unit yield, and population growth.

Where they sit

Darlinghurst and Surry 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.

Darlinghurst Surry 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.

Darlinghurst Surry Hills
Walkability 99 / 100
Darlinghurst — Walkability: 99/100 Surry Hills — Walkability: 100/100
Safety 8 / 6
Darlinghurst — Safety: 8/100 Surry Hills — Safety: 6/100
Low fire risk 100 / 100
Darlinghurst — Low fire risk: 100/100 Surry Hills — Low fire risk: 100/100

Demographics

Surry Hills has more residents (15,828 vs 10,615); Darlinghurst skews older (37 vs 35).

Darlinghurst Surry Hills
Population 10,615 15,828
+49% vs other
Population trend (2016 → 2021) -6.2% -3.6%
Median age 37 35
Median household income $118,508/yr $120,016/yr
+1% vs other
Median weekly rent $550/wk
same for both

Age profile

Share of residents in each band, 2021 Census.

Darlinghurst Surry Hills
0-4 2.2% / 2.4%
Darlinghurst — 0-4: 2.2% Surry Hills — 0-4: 2.4%
5-14 3.0% / 3.2%
Darlinghurst — 5-14: 3.0% Surry Hills — 5-14: 3.2%
15-19 1.5% / 1.3%
Darlinghurst — 15-19: 1.5% Surry Hills — 15-19: 1.3%
20-24 6.6% / 8.1%
Darlinghurst — 20-24: 6.6% Surry Hills — 20-24: 8.1%
25-34 30.8% / 32.6%
Darlinghurst — 25-34: 30.8% Surry Hills — 25-34: 32.6%
35-44 20.0% / 19.7%
Darlinghurst — 35-44: 20.0% Surry Hills — 35-44: 19.7%
45-54 13.2% / 12.7%
Darlinghurst — 45-54: 13.2% Surry Hills — 45-54: 12.7%
55-64 11.3% / 9.5%
Darlinghurst — 55-64: 11.3% Surry Hills — 55-64: 9.5%
65-74 7.1% / 5.7%
Darlinghurst — 65-74: 7.1% Surry Hills — 65-74: 5.7%
75-84 3.3% / 3.3%
Darlinghurst — 75-84: 3.3% Surry Hills — 75-84: 3.3%
85+ 0.9% / 1.5%
Darlinghurst — 85+: 0.9% Surry Hills — 85+: 1.5%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (32.6%).

Who lives together

Household composition, 2021 Census.

Darlinghurst 72.6% lone person
Darlinghurst — Lone Person: 72.6% Darlinghurst — Group Household: 12.8% Darlinghurst — Couple Families: 9.2% Darlinghurst — One Parent Families: 4.5% Darlinghurst — Other Families: 0.9%
Surry Hills 66.1% lone person
Surry Hills — Lone Person: 66.1% Surry Hills — Group Household: 17.2% Surry Hills — Couple Families: 10.6% Surry Hills — One Parent Families: 4.4% Surry Hills — Other Families: 1.7%
Lone Person Group Household Couple Families One Parent Families Other Families

Who owns and who rents

Occupied private dwellings by tenure, 2021 Census.

Darlinghurst 63.1% renting
Darlinghurst — Owned Outright: 17.2% Darlinghurst — Mortgage: 19.7% Darlinghurst — Renting: 63.1%
Surry Hills 67.1% renting
Surry Hills — Owned Outright: 14.1% Surry Hills — Mortgage: 18.8% Surry Hills — Renting: 67.1%
Owned outright Mortgage Renting

Qualifications

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

Darlinghurst Surry Hills
Bachelor Degree 34.8% / 34.0%
Darlinghurst — Bachelor Degree: 34.8% Surry Hills — Bachelor Degree: 34.0%
Postgraduate Degree 15.4% / 14.9%
Darlinghurst — Postgraduate Degree: 15.4% Surry Hills — Postgraduate Degree: 14.9%
Advanced Diploma / Diploma 8.3% / 8.2%
Darlinghurst — Advanced Diploma / Diploma: 8.3% Surry Hills — Advanced Diploma / Diploma: 8.2%
Certificate III & IV 5.4% / 5.2%
Darlinghurst — Certificate III & IV: 5.4% Surry Hills — Certificate III & IV: 5.2%
Graduate Diploma / Certificate 3.1% / 3.0%
Darlinghurst — Graduate Diploma / Certificate: 3.1% Surry Hills — Graduate Diploma / Certificate: 3.0%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (34.8%).

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.

Darlinghurst Surry Hills
England 6.3% / 6.4%
Darlinghurst — England: 6.3% Surry Hills — England: 6.4%
New Zealand 4.0% / 3.4%
Darlinghurst — New Zealand: 4.0% Surry Hills — New Zealand: 3.4%
Thailand 2.1% / 3.0%
Darlinghurst — Thailand: 2.1% Surry Hills — Thailand: 3.0%
China 1.6% / 3.3%
Darlinghurst — China: 1.6% Surry Hills — China: 3.3%
Indonesia — / 1.4%
Darlinghurst — Indonesia: not among its largest Surry Hills — Indonesia: 1.4%
South Africa 1.3% / —
Darlinghurst — South Africa: 1.3% Surry Hills — South Africa: not among its largest

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (6.4%).

What people live in

Occupied private dwellings by structure, 2021 Census.

Darlinghurst 79.5% flats / apartments
Darlinghurst — Flats / Apartments: 79.5% Darlinghurst — Townhouses: 19.6% Darlinghurst — Houses: 0.9%
Surry Hills 69.8% flats / apartments
Surry Hills — Flats / Apartments: 69.8% Surry Hills — Townhouses: 29.1% Surry Hills — Houses: 1.1%
Flats / Apartments Townhouses Houses

Property market

Darlinghurst Surry Hills
Median house price $2,862,500 $2,432,500
Median unit price $960,000 $935,000
Median land price —
same for both
Typical days to sell (houses) 31 days
from 31 sales
 22 days
from 68 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.

Darlinghurst Surry Hills
2 bed $1.8M / $1.99M
Darlinghurst — 2 bed: $1.8M (13 sales) Surry Hills — 2 bed: $1.99M (46 sales)

13 vs 46 sales

3 bed $2.89M / $2.58M
Darlinghurst — 3 bed: $2.89M (22 sales) Surry Hills — 3 bed: $2.58M (61 sales)

22 vs 61 sales

4 bed $3.27M / $3.25M
Darlinghurst — 4 bed: $3.27M (14 sales) Surry Hills — 4 bed: $3.25M (23 sales)

14 vs 23 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.

Darlinghurst Surry Hills
1 bed $730K / $795K
Darlinghurst — 1 bed: $730K (169 sales) Surry Hills — 1 bed: $795K (163 sales)

169 vs 163 sales

2 bed $1.72M / $1.47M
Darlinghurst — 2 bed: $1.72M (102 sales) Surry Hills — 2 bed: $1.47M (104 sales)

102 vs 104 sales

3 bed $4.2M / $2.06M
Darlinghurst — 3 bed: $4.2M (12 sales) Surry Hills — 3 bed: $2.06M (7 sales)

12 vs 7 sales

Zoning mix

Darlinghurst Surry Hills
Residential 75% 84%
Infrastructure and transport 16% 4%
Parks and recreation 2% 8%
Commercial 7% 3%
Planning zones cover 99% of Darlinghurst and 100% of Surry 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

Darlinghurst Surry Hills
New dwellings approved 2,350
across Sydney
same for both
Approvals change year on year +929%
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.

Darlinghurst Surry Hills
Houses 2.5%
$1,200/wk on $2.5M
 3.1%
$1,272/wk on $2.1M
Units 5.3%
$880/wk on $860K
 4.4%
$810/wk on $950K

Ranking within NSW

Darlinghurst Surry Hills
House price Higher than 93% of NSW Higher than 89% of NSW
Income Higher than 83% of NSW Higher than 84% of NSW
Schools Higher than 20% of NSW Higher than 79% of NSW
Walkability Higher than 100% of NSW
same for both
Affordability Higher than 10% of NSW Higher than 17% of NSW
EV adoption Higher than 97% of NSW
same for both
NBN connectivity Higher than 78% of NSW Higher than 77% of NSW
Rental yield (houses) Higher than 7% of NSW Higher than 27% of NSW
Rental yield (units) Higher than 78% of NSW Higher than 41% of NSW

Liveability

Surry Hills scores higher overall (78 vs 65).

Darlinghurst Surry Hills
Grade B A
Score 65/100 78/100
Socio-economic band very advantaged area
decile 10/10
same for both

Risk profile

Darlinghurst Surry Hills
Bushfire None
0/100
same for both
Crime High
92/100
 High
94/100
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 4
within 5 km
 5
within 5 km

Schools

Darlinghurst Surry Hills
Inside the suburb 3 5
Rated above peers 0 2
Rated at peers 2
same for both
Rated below peers 1 0
Universities within 10 km 3
1-37 Foveaux Street, Surry Hills NSW 2010, 1.1 km
 3
1-37 Foveaux Street, Surry Hills NSW 2010, 0.0 km
Full-time students aged 15–24 2.2% 2.6%

Schools in Darlinghurst

  • Darlinghurst Public School Government · Primary at peers
  • SCEGGS Darlinghurst Independent · Combined at peers
  • Sydney Grammar School Independent · Secondary below peers

Schools in Surry Hills

  • Crown Street Public School Government · Primary above peers
  • Sydney Distance Education Primary School Government · Primary above peers
  • Bourke Street Public School Government · Primary at peers
  • Inner Sydney High School Government · Secondary at peers
  • Oasis College Surry Hills Independent · Secondary · Special school

Amenities in the suburb

Darlinghurst Surry Hills
Supermarkets 0 8
Cafes & restaurants 105 155
Parks & reserves 17 15
Childcare 3 10
GPs 4 10
Pharmacies 3 5
Hospitals 4 0
Police stations 0 1
Banks & Bank@Post 0 4

Mobility

Darlinghurst Surry Hills
Walkability score 99/100 100/100
Distance to Sydney 3.3 km
+12% vs other
 2.9 km
Drive time (normal traffic) 9 min 10 min
Public transport score 94/100
Bus
 94/100
Tram · Bus
Peak arrivals per hour 327.5
7-9am + 5-7pm
 414.5
7-9am + 5-7pm
Median peak wait 0 min
scheduled, not actual
same for both
Electric vehicle share 3.1%
postcode 2010
same for both
Rooftop solar per 100 dwellings 2
postcode 2010
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.

Darlinghurst Surry Hills
Worked from Home 62.4% / 64.8%
Darlinghurst — Worked from Home: 62.4% Surry Hills — Worked from Home: 64.8%
Walked Only 15.3% / 12.5%
Darlinghurst — Walked Only: 15.3% Surry Hills — Walked Only: 12.5%
Car (driver) 11.6% / 10.0%
Darlinghurst — Car (driver): 11.6% Surry Hills — Car (driver): 10.0%
Train 4.6% / 5.6%
Darlinghurst — Train: 4.6% Surry Hills — Train: 5.6%
Bus 3.9% / 3.1%
Darlinghurst — Bus: 3.9% Surry Hills — Bus: 3.1%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (64.8%).

Setting

Darlinghurst Surry Hills
Elevation 58 m
above sea level, at the suburb centre
 47 m
above sea level, at the suburb centre
Distance to the ocean 5.0 km
2.3 km to a named beach
 5.6 km
3.2 km to a named beach

NBN connectivity

Darlinghurst Surry Hills
Connectivity score 71/100 70/100
Most common technology Hybrid fibre-coaxial Fibre to the building
Full-fibre (FTTP) share 14%
9,094 premises
 10%
14,268 premises

Climate

Darlinghurst Surry Hills
Annual rainfall 1,129 mm
same for both
Summer max (Jan) 27.5°C
same for both
Winter min (Jul) 9.5°C
same for both

Air quality (annual mean)

Darlinghurst Surry Hills
PM2.5 6.3 µg/m³
same for both
PM10 13.8 µg/m³
same for both
NO₂ 0.84 pphm
same for both

Council rates

Darlinghurst Surry Hills
Average residential rate $875/yr
same for both
Council Sydney
same for both

Federal electorate

Darlinghurst Surry Hills
Division Wentworth Sydney
Member Allegra Spender Tanya Plibersek
Party Independent Australian Labor Party

First Home Owner Grant

Darlinghurst Surry Hills
Grant amount $10,000
same for both
Property price cap $600,000
same for both
Eligibility New
same for both

Tags

Darlinghurst

Apartments Arts Cafe Culture Easy Commute Inner Nightlife Parks Professionals Transport Hub Urban

Surry Hills

Apartments Arts Cafe Culture Easy Commute Inner Nightlife Parks Professionals Townhouses Trams Transport Hub Urban

More comparisons

Other comparisons with Darlinghurst

Darlinghurst vs Sydney Darlinghurst vs Paddington Darlinghurst vs Potts Point Darlinghurst vs Woolloomooloo Darlinghurst vs Edgecliff Darlinghurst vs Rushcutters Bay

Other comparisons with Surry Hills

Surry Hills vs Sydney Surry Hills vs Redfern Surry Hills vs Paddington Surry Hills vs Haymarket Surry Hills vs Chippendale
Full data on Darlinghurst Full data on Surry 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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