East Toowoomba vs Mount Lofty

East Toowoomba is the younger of the two, with a median age of 37 against 43 in Mount Lofty. In both, most households own their home and most homes are detached houses. In East Toowoomba, about half of households are people living alone. On these figures, East Toowoomba tends to suit 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

They split

one each way, out of the 6 things we measure here

  • East Toowoomba has more childcare (10 vs 1)
  • Mount Lofty has more separate houses rather than flats (89% vs 66%)

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

First-home buyers

Mount Lofty

ahead on 2 of the 3 things we measure here

  • leaves households under less mortgage stress (20% vs 25%)
  • has cheaper units ($580,000 vs $672,000)

Weighs house prices, unit prices, and mortgage stress.

Renters

East Toowoomba

ahead on 2 of the 3 things we measure here

  • has a bigger rental market to choose from (43% vs 26%)
  • has cheaper rent ($300/wk vs $340/wk)

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

Commuting to the city

East Toowoomba

ahead on 3 of the 3 things we measure here

  • is more walkable (74/100 vs 21/100)
  • has a shorter drive in (95 min vs 104 min)
  • sits closer to the CBD (123.1 km vs 126.5 km)

Weighs distance, drive time, and walkability.

Downsizers and retirees

East Toowoomba

ahead on 3 of the 5 things we measure here

  • has more GPs (10 vs 0)
  • is more walkable (74/100 vs 21/100)
  • has more units and townhouses to downsize into (34% vs 11%)
  • But Mount Lofty carries lower crime risk (49/100 vs 66/100)

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

Investors

East Toowoomba

ahead on the one thing that separates them

  • is growing faster (13.5% vs 1.3%)

Weighs house yield, unit yield, and population growth.

Where they sit

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

East Toowoomba Mount Lofty
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.

East Toowoomba Mount Lofty
Walkability 74 / 21
East Toowoomba — Walkability: 74/100 Mount Lofty — Walkability: 21/100
Safety 34 / 51
East Toowoomba — Safety: 34/100 Mount Lofty — Safety: 51/100
Low fire risk 100 / 100
East Toowoomba — Low fire risk: 100/100 Mount Lofty — Low fire risk: 100/100

Demographics

East Toowoomba has more residents (5,953 vs 3,825); Mount Lofty has higher household incomes ($104,104 vs $82,732).

East Toowoomba Mount Lofty
Population 5,953
+36% vs other
 3,825
Population trend (2016 → 2021) +13.5% +1.3%
Median age 37 43
Median household income $82,732/yr $104,104/yr
+26% vs other
Median weekly rent $300/wk $340/wk
+13% vs other

Age profile

Share of residents in each band, 2021 Census.

East Toowoomba Mount Lofty
0-4 5.2% / 5.3%
East Toowoomba — 0-4: 5.2% Mount Lofty — 0-4: 5.3%
5-14 15.6% / 12.9%
East Toowoomba — 5-14: 15.6% Mount Lofty — 5-14: 12.9%
15-19 9.8% / 7.3%
East Toowoomba — 15-19: 9.8% Mount Lofty — 15-19: 7.3%
20-24 5.6% / 5.0%
East Toowoomba — 20-24: 5.6% Mount Lofty — 20-24: 5.0%
25-34 10.9% / 10.5%
East Toowoomba — 25-34: 10.9% Mount Lofty — 25-34: 10.5%
35-44 11.6% / 11.7%
East Toowoomba — 35-44: 11.6% Mount Lofty — 35-44: 11.7%
45-54 13.2% / 14.6%
East Toowoomba — 45-54: 13.2% Mount Lofty — 45-54: 14.6%
55-64 11.6% / 12.2%
East Toowoomba — 55-64: 11.6% Mount Lofty — 55-64: 12.2%
65-74 9.5% / 10.5%
East Toowoomba — 65-74: 9.5% Mount Lofty — 65-74: 10.5%
75-84 5.3% / 6.9%
East Toowoomba — 75-84: 5.3% Mount Lofty — 75-84: 6.9%
85+ 1.8% / 3.0%
East Toowoomba — 85+: 1.8% Mount Lofty — 85+: 3.0%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (15.6%).

Who lives together

Household composition, 2021 Census.

East Toowoomba 48.7% lone person
East Toowoomba — Lone Person: 48.7% East Toowoomba — Couple Families: 32.3% East Toowoomba — One Parent Families: 13.6% East Toowoomba — Group Household: 4.3% East Toowoomba — Other Families: 1.1%
Mount Lofty 38.3% lone person
Mount Lofty — Lone Person: 38.3% Mount Lofty — Couple Families: 44.0% Mount Lofty — One Parent Families: 14.5% Mount Lofty — Group Household: 2.5% Mount Lofty — Other Families: 0.7%
Lone Person Couple Families One Parent Families Group Household Other Families

Who owns and who rents

Occupied private dwellings by tenure, 2021 Census.

East Toowoomba 43.4% renting
East Toowoomba — Owned Outright: 30.3% East Toowoomba — Mortgage: 26.2% East Toowoomba — Renting: 43.4%
Mount Lofty 26.1% renting
Mount Lofty — Owned Outright: 37.5% Mount Lofty — Mortgage: 36.4% Mount Lofty — Renting: 26.1%
Owned outright Mortgage Renting

Qualifications

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

East Toowoomba Mount Lofty
Bachelor Degree 15.8% / 18.9%
East Toowoomba — Bachelor Degree: 15.8% Mount Lofty — Bachelor Degree: 18.9%
Certificate III & IV 11.3% / 12.9%
East Toowoomba — Certificate III & IV: 11.3% Mount Lofty — Certificate III & IV: 12.9%
Advanced Diploma / Diploma 7.6% / 7.4%
East Toowoomba — Advanced Diploma / Diploma: 7.6% Mount Lofty — Advanced Diploma / Diploma: 7.4%
Postgraduate Degree 6.5% / 7.2%
East Toowoomba — Postgraduate Degree: 6.5% Mount Lofty — Postgraduate Degree: 7.2%
Graduate Diploma / Certificate 2.7% / 3.8%
East Toowoomba — Graduate Diploma / Certificate: 2.7% Mount Lofty — Graduate Diploma / Certificate: 3.8%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (18.9%).

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.

East Toowoomba Mount Lofty
England 2.6% / 2.6%
East Toowoomba — England: 2.6% Mount Lofty — England: 2.6%
New Zealand 1.6% / 1.6%
East Toowoomba — New Zealand: 1.6% Mount Lofty — New Zealand: 1.6%
Iraq 1.6% / 1.2%
East Toowoomba — Iraq: 1.6% Mount Lofty — Iraq: 1.2%
South Africa 0.5% / 1.2%
East Toowoomba — South Africa: 0.5% Mount Lofty — South Africa: 1.2%
India 1.0% / 0.6%
East Toowoomba — India: 1.0% Mount Lofty — India: 0.6%
Philippines 0.6% / 0.4%
East Toowoomba — Philippines: 0.6% Mount Lofty — Philippines: 0.4%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (2.6%).

What people live in

Occupied private dwellings by structure, 2021 Census.

East Toowoomba 66.1% houses
East Toowoomba — Houses: 66.1% East Toowoomba — Townhouses: 24.9% East Toowoomba — Flats / Apartments: 9.0%
Mount Lofty 89.1% houses
Mount Lofty — Houses: 89.1% Mount Lofty — Townhouses: 9.8% Mount Lofty — Flats / Apartments: 1.1%
Houses Townhouses Flats / Apartments

Property market

East Toowoomba Mount Lofty
Median house price $1,025,000 $1,105,500
Median unit price $672,000 $580,000
Median land price — $640,000
Typical days to sell (houses) 41 days
from 32 sales
 38 days
from 59 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.

East Toowoomba Mount Lofty
3 bed $890K / $902K
East Toowoomba — 3 bed: $890K (32 sales) Mount Lofty — 3 bed: $902K (50 sales)

32 vs 50 sales

4 bed $1.32M / $1.35M
East Toowoomba — 4 bed: $1.32M (25 sales) Mount Lofty — 4 bed: $1.35M (54 sales)

25 vs 54 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.

East Toowoomba Mount Lofty
2 bed $672K / $485K
East Toowoomba — 2 bed: $672K (13 sales) Mount Lofty — 2 bed: $485K (15 sales)

13 vs 15 sales

3 bed $675K / $942K
East Toowoomba — 3 bed: $675K (6 sales) Mount Lofty — 3 bed: $942K (8 sales)

6 vs 8 sales

Development activity

East Toowoomba Mount Lofty
New dwellings approved 1,513
across Toowoomba
same for both
Approvals change year on year -25%
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.

East Toowoomba Mount Lofty
Houses 3.4%
$650/wk on $999K
 3.2%
$650/wk on $1.05M
Units 4.3%
$535/wk on $649K
 3.9%
$440/wk on $582K

Ranking within QLD

East Toowoomba Mount Lofty
House price —
same for both
Income Higher than 54% of QLD Higher than 77% of QLD
Schools Higher than 48% of QLD —
Walkability Higher than 93% of QLD Higher than 79% of QLD
Affordability —
same for both
EV adoption Higher than 70% of QLD Higher than 71% of QLD
NBN connectivity Higher than 99% of QLD Higher than 98% of QLD
Rental yield (houses) Higher than 20% of QLD Higher than 15% of QLD
Rental yield (units) Higher than 44% of QLD Higher than 28% of QLD

Liveability

East Toowoomba is more walkable (74 vs 21); Mount Lofty scores higher overall (66 vs 60).

East Toowoomba Mount Lofty
Grade B
same for both
Score 60/100 66/100
Socio-economic band advantaged area
decile 8/10
 very advantaged area
decile 9/10

Risk profile

East Toowoomba carries more crime risk (66 vs 49).

East Toowoomba Mount Lofty
Bushfire None
0/100
same for both
Crime Moderate
66/100
 Moderate
49/100
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
same for both

Schools

East Toowoomba Mount Lofty
Inside the suburb 6 1
Rated above peers 1 0
Rated at peers 2 1
Rated below peers 2 0
Universities within 10 km 1
USQ (Toowoomba), 1.8 km
 1
USQ (Toowoomba), 3.7 km
Full-time students aged 15–24 1.2% 1.4%

Schools in East Toowoomba

  • Toowoomba East State School Government · Primary above peers
  • Fairholme College Independent · Combined at peers
  • Toowoomba Grammar School Independent · Combined at peers
  • Mater Dei Primary School Catholic · Primary below peers
  • Toowoomba Anglican School Independent · Combined below peers
  • Toowoomba Anglican School - East Toowoomba Campus Independent · Combined

Schools in Mount Lofty

  • Toowoomba State High School Government · Secondary at peers

Amenities in the suburb

East Toowoomba Mount Lofty
Supermarkets 1 0
Cafes & restaurants 23 3
Parks & reserves 14 8
Childcare 10 1
GPs 10 0
Pharmacies 4 0
Hospitals 1 0
Banks & Bank@Post 1 0
Fuel stations 2 1
Waterways 10 1

Mobility

Mount Lofty sits further from the CBD (126.5 km vs 123.1 km).

East Toowoomba Mount Lofty
Walkability score 74/100 21/100
Distance to Brisbane 123.1 km 126.5 km
+3% vs other
Drive time (normal traffic) 95 min 104 min
Public transport score 59/100
Bus
 61/100
Bus
Peak arrivals per hour 16.5
7-9am + 5-7pm
 18.5
7-9am + 5-7pm
Median peak wait 1 min
scheduled, not actual
 0 min
scheduled, not actual
Electric vehicle share 0.6%
postcode 4350
same for both
Rooftop solar per 100 dwellings 41
postcode 4350
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.

East Toowoomba Mount Lofty
Car (driver) 71.7% / 78.8%
East Toowoomba — Car (driver): 71.7% Mount Lofty — Car (driver): 78.8%
Worked from Home 11.8% / 11.8%
East Toowoomba — Worked from Home: 11.8% Mount Lofty — Worked from Home: 11.8%
Car (passenger) 6.5% / 5.9%
East Toowoomba — Car (passenger): 6.5% Mount Lofty — Car (passenger): 5.9%
Walked Only 8.4% / 2.0%
East Toowoomba — Walked Only: 8.4% Mount Lofty — Walked Only: 2.0%
Bicycle 1.1% / 1.2%
East Toowoomba — Bicycle: 1.1% Mount Lofty — Bicycle: 1.2%

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

Setting

East Toowoomba Mount Lofty
Elevation 633 m
above sea level, at the suburb centre
 537 m
above sea level, at the suburb centre

NBN connectivity

East Toowoomba Mount Lofty
Connectivity score 100/100 99/100
Most common technology Fibre to the premises
same for both
Full-fibre (FTTP) share 99%
3,326 premises
 98%
1,760 premises

Climate

East Toowoomba Mount Lofty
Annual rainfall 643 mm
same for both
Summer max (Jan) —
same for both
Winter min (Jul) —
same for both

Air quality (annual mean)

East Toowoomba Mount Lofty
PM2.5 2.4 µg/m³ 4.9 µg/m³
PM10 3.8 µg/m³ 12.0 µg/m³
NO₂ —
same for both

Council rates

East Toowoomba Mount Lofty
Average residential rate $1,618/yr
same for both
Council Toowoomba
same for both

Federal electorate

East Toowoomba Mount Lofty
Division Groom
same for both
Member Garth Hamilton
same for both
Party Liberal National Party of Queensland
same for both

First Home Owner Grant

East Toowoomba Mount Lofty
Grant amount $30,000
same for both
Property price cap $750,000
same for both
Eligibility New
same for both

Tags

East Toowoomba

Parks Professionals Townhouses

Mount Lofty

Acreage Professionals

More comparisons

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East Toowoomba vs Rangeville East Toowoomba vs South Toowoomba East Toowoomba vs North Toowoomba East Toowoomba vs Toowoomba City East Toowoomba vs Prince Henry Heights East Toowoomba vs Redwood

Other comparisons with Mount Lofty

Mount Lofty vs North Toowoomba Mount Lofty vs Harlaxton Mount Lofty vs Withcott Mount Lofty vs Prince Henry Heights Mount Lofty vs Ballard Mount Lofty vs Redwood
Full data on East Toowoomba Full data on Mount Lofty
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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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