East Toowoomba vs North Toowoomba

In both, most households own their home, most homes are detached houses, and about half of households are people living alone. Houses cost more in East Toowoomba: a median of $1.02 million, against $722,000 in North Toowoomba. On these figures, North Toowoomba tends to suit buyers on a tighter budget.

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

East Toowoomba

ahead on 4 of the 6 things we measure here

  • has more schools inside the suburb (6 vs 0)
  • has more parks and reserves (14 vs 4)
  • has more childcare (10 vs 3)
  • But North Toowoomba has more separate houses rather than flats (80% vs 66%)

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

First-home buyers

North Toowoomba

ahead on the one thing that separates them

  • has cheaper houses ($722,500 vs $1,025,000)

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

East Toowoomba

ahead on 2 of the 3 things we measure here

  • has a shorter drive in (95 min vs 101 min)
  • sits closer to the CBD (123.1 km vs 126 km)
  • But North Toowoomba is more walkable (84/100 vs 74/100)

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)
  • has more units and townhouses to downsize into (34% vs 20%)
  • carries lower crime risk (66/100 vs 78/100)
  • But North Toowoomba is more walkable (84/100 vs 74/100)

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

  • East Toowoomba returns a higher gross yield on units (4.3% vs 3.8%)
  • North Toowoomba returns a higher gross yield on houses (3.9% vs 3.4%)

Weighs house yield, unit yield, and population growth.

Where they sit

East Toowoomba and North Toowoomba 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 North Toowoomba
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 North Toowoomba
Walkability 74 / 84
East Toowoomba — Walkability: 74/100 North Toowoomba — Walkability: 84/100
Safety 34 / 22
East Toowoomba — Safety: 34/100 North Toowoomba — Safety: 22/100
Low fire risk 100 / 100
East Toowoomba — Low fire risk: 100/100 North Toowoomba — Low fire risk: 100/100

Demographics

East Toowoomba has more residents (5,953 vs 3,332); East Toowoomba has higher household incomes ($82,732 vs $65,312).

East Toowoomba North Toowoomba
Population 5,953
+44% vs other
 3,332
Population trend (2016 → 2021) +13.5% +12.8%
Median age 37
same for both
Median household income $82,732/yr
+21% vs other
 $65,312/yr
Median weekly rent $300/wk
+5% vs other
 $285/wk

Age profile

Share of residents in each band, 2021 Census.

East Toowoomba North Toowoomba
0-4 5.2% / 6.1%
East Toowoomba — 0-4: 5.2% North Toowoomba — 0-4: 6.1%
5-14 15.6% / 11.7%
East Toowoomba — 5-14: 15.6% North Toowoomba — 5-14: 11.7%
15-19 9.8% / 5.2%
East Toowoomba — 15-19: 9.8% North Toowoomba — 15-19: 5.2%
20-24 5.6% / 7.3%
East Toowoomba — 20-24: 5.6% North Toowoomba — 20-24: 7.3%
25-34 10.9% / 16.5%
East Toowoomba — 25-34: 10.9% North Toowoomba — 25-34: 16.5%
35-44 11.6% / 11.3%
East Toowoomba — 35-44: 11.6% North Toowoomba — 35-44: 11.3%
45-54 13.2% / 12.1%
East Toowoomba — 45-54: 13.2% North Toowoomba — 45-54: 12.1%
55-64 11.6% / 12.5%
East Toowoomba — 55-64: 11.6% North Toowoomba — 55-64: 12.5%
65-74 9.5% / 8.8%
East Toowoomba — 65-74: 9.5% North Toowoomba — 65-74: 8.8%
75-84 5.3% / 5.6%
East Toowoomba — 75-84: 5.3% North Toowoomba — 75-84: 5.6%
85+ 1.8% / 3.0%
East Toowoomba — 85+: 1.8% North Toowoomba — 85+: 3.0%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (16.5%).

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%
North Toowoomba 47.5% lone person
North Toowoomba — Lone Person: 47.5% North Toowoomba — Couple Families: 26.7% North Toowoomba — One Parent Families: 17.7% North Toowoomba — Group Household: 5.6% North Toowoomba — Other Families: 2.5%
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%
North Toowoomba 44.5% renting
North Toowoomba — Owned Outright: 23.6% North Toowoomba — Mortgage: 31.9% North Toowoomba — Renting: 44.5%
Owned outright Mortgage Renting

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 North Toowoomba
Iraq 1.6% / 5.3%
East Toowoomba — Iraq: 1.6% North Toowoomba — Iraq: 5.3%
England 2.6% / 2.4%
East Toowoomba — England: 2.6% North Toowoomba — England: 2.4%
New Zealand 1.6% / 2.0%
East Toowoomba — New Zealand: 1.6% North Toowoomba — New Zealand: 2.0%
India 1.0% / 0.7%
East Toowoomba — India: 1.0% North Toowoomba — India: 0.7%
Philippines 0.6% / 0.6%
East Toowoomba — Philippines: 0.6% North Toowoomba — Philippines: 0.6%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (5.3%).

Qualifications

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

East Toowoomba North Toowoomba
Bachelor Degree 15.8% / 12.2%
East Toowoomba — Bachelor Degree: 15.8% North Toowoomba — Bachelor Degree: 12.2%
Certificate III & IV 11.3% / 15.0%
East Toowoomba — Certificate III & IV: 11.3% North Toowoomba — Certificate III & IV: 15.0%
Advanced Diploma / Diploma 7.6% / 6.9%
East Toowoomba — Advanced Diploma / Diploma: 7.6% North Toowoomba — Advanced Diploma / Diploma: 6.9%
Postgraduate Degree 6.5% / 3.2%
East Toowoomba — Postgraduate Degree: 6.5% North Toowoomba — Postgraduate Degree: 3.2%
Graduate Diploma / Certificate 2.7% / 1.8%
East Toowoomba — Graduate Diploma / Certificate: 2.7% North Toowoomba — Graduate Diploma / Certificate: 1.8%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (15.8%).

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%
North Toowoomba 79.8% houses
North Toowoomba — Houses: 79.8% North Toowoomba — Townhouses: 19.8% North Toowoomba — Flats / Apartments: 0.4%
Houses Townhouses Flats / Apartments

Property market

East Toowoomba North Toowoomba
Median house price $1,025,000 $722,500
Median unit price $672,000 $620,000
Median land price — $450,000
Typical days to sell (houses) 41 days
from 32 sales
 24 days
from 43 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 North Toowoomba
3 bed $890K / $723K
East Toowoomba — 3 bed: $890K (32 sales) North Toowoomba — 3 bed: $723K (81 sales)

32 vs 81 sales

4 bed $1.32M / $850K
East Toowoomba — 4 bed: $1.32M (25 sales) North Toowoomba — 4 bed: $850K (21 sales)

25 vs 21 sales

Development activity

East Toowoomba North Toowoomba
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 North Toowoomba
Houses 3.4%
$650/wk on $999K
 3.9%
$565/wk on $750K
Units 4.3%
$535/wk on $649K
 3.8%
$505/wk on $687K

Ranking within QLD

East Toowoomba North Toowoomba
House price —
same for both
Income Higher than 54% of QLD Higher than 31% of QLD
Schools Higher than 48% of QLD —
Walkability Higher than 93% of QLD Higher than 97% of QLD
Affordability —
same for both
EV adoption Higher than 70% of QLD
same for both
NBN connectivity Higher than 99% of QLD Higher than 97% of QLD
Rental yield (houses) Higher than 20% of QLD Higher than 49% of QLD
Rental yield (units) Higher than 44% of QLD Higher than 24% of QLD

Liveability

East Toowoomba scores higher overall (60 vs 48); North Toowoomba is more walkable (84 vs 74).

East Toowoomba North Toowoomba
Grade B C
Score 60/100 48/100
Socio-economic band advantaged area
decile 8/10
 below-average income
decile 2/10

Risk profile

North Toowoomba carries more crime risk (78 vs 66).

East Toowoomba North Toowoomba
Bushfire None
0/100
same for both
Crime Moderate
66/100
 High
78/100
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
 9
within 5 km

Schools

East Toowoomba North Toowoomba
Inside the suburb 6 0
Rated above peers 1 0
Rated at peers 2 0
Rated below peers 2 0
Universities within 10 km 1
USQ (Toowoomba), 1.8 km
 1
USQ (Toowoomba), 1.5 km
Full-time students aged 15–24 1.2% 0.8%

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 North Toowoomba

No schools recorded inside this suburb's boundary. Children here will be zoned to schools nearby.

Amenities in the suburb

East Toowoomba North Toowoomba
Supermarkets 1
same for both
Cafes & restaurants 23 1
Parks & reserves 14 4
Childcare 10 3
GPs 10 0
Pharmacies 4 1
Hospitals 1 0
Banks & Bank@Post 1 0
Fuel stations 2
same for both
Waterways 10 3

Mobility

North Toowoomba sits further from the CBD (126 km vs 123.1 km).

East Toowoomba North Toowoomba
Walkability score 74/100 84/100
Distance to Brisbane 123.1 km 126 km
+2% vs other
Drive time (normal traffic) 95 min 101 min
Public transport score 59/100
Bus
 67/100
Bus
Peak arrivals per hour 16.5
7-9am + 5-7pm
 24.0
7-9am + 5-7pm
Median peak wait 1 min
scheduled, not actual
same for both
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 North Toowoomba
Car (driver) 71.7% / 77.4%
East Toowoomba — Car (driver): 71.7% North Toowoomba — Car (driver): 77.4%
Worked from Home 11.8% / 9.2%
East Toowoomba — Worked from Home: 11.8% North Toowoomba — Worked from Home: 9.2%
Walked Only 8.4% / 5.3%
East Toowoomba — Walked Only: 8.4% North Toowoomba — Walked Only: 5.3%
Car (passenger) 6.5% / 6.5%
East Toowoomba — Car (passenger): 6.5% North Toowoomba — Car (passenger): 6.5%
Bicycle 1.1% / 1.3%
East Toowoomba — Bicycle: 1.1% North Toowoomba — Bicycle: 1.3%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (77.4%).

Setting

East Toowoomba North Toowoomba
Elevation 633 m
above sea level, at the suburb centre
 599 m
above sea level, at the suburb centre

NBN connectivity

East Toowoomba North Toowoomba
Connectivity score 100/100 96/100
Most common technology Fibre to the premises
same for both
Full-fibre (FTTP) share 99%
3,326 premises
 92%
1,832 premises

Climate

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

Federal electorate

East Toowoomba North Toowoomba
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 North Toowoomba
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

North Toowoomba

Parks River

More comparisons

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East Toowoomba vs Rangeville East Toowoomba vs South Toowoomba East Toowoomba vs Mount Lofty East Toowoomba vs Toowoomba City East Toowoomba vs Prince Henry Heights East Toowoomba vs Redwood

Other comparisons with North Toowoomba

North Toowoomba vs Newtown North Toowoomba vs Mount Lofty North Toowoomba vs Rockville North Toowoomba vs Harlaxton North Toowoomba vs Toowoomba City
Full data on East Toowoomba Full data on North Toowoomba
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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