East Toowoomba vs Toowoomba City

East Toowoomba is the younger of the two, with a median age of 37 against 41 in Toowoomba City. In East Toowoomba, most households own their home, most homes are detached houses, and about half of households are people living alone. In Toowoomba City, most households rent and most households are people living alone. Houses cost more in East Toowoomba: a median of $1.02 million, against $762,000 in Toowoomba City, and rent is higher there too. On these figures, East Toowoomba tends to suit families with children, while Toowoomba City suits renters, people living alone, and 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 5 of the 6 things we measure here

  • has more schools rated above their peers (1 vs 0)
  • carries lower crime risk (66/100 vs 99/100)
  • is already more of a family suburb (46% vs 31%)

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

First-home buyers

Toowoomba City

ahead on 2 of the 3 things we measure here

  • has cheaper houses ($761,750 vs $1,025,000)
  • has cheaper units ($500,000 vs $672,000)

Weighs house prices, unit prices, and mortgage stress.

Renters

Toowoomba City

ahead on 2 of the 3 things we measure here

  • has a bigger rental market to choose from (62% vs 43%)
  • has cheaper rent ($255/wk vs $300/wk)

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

Commuting to the city

They split

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

  • East Toowoomba has a shorter drive in (95 min vs 100 min)
  • Toowoomba City is more walkable (92/100 vs 74/100)

Weighs distance, drive time, and walkability.

Downsizers and retirees

They split

one each way, out of the 5 things we measure here

  • East Toowoomba carries lower crime risk (66/100 vs 99/100)
  • Toowoomba City has more units and townhouses to downsize into (47% vs 34%)

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

Investors

Toowoomba City

ahead on the one thing that separates them

  • returns a higher gross yield on houses (4.2% vs 3.4%)

Weighs house yield, unit yield, and population growth.

Where they sit

East Toowoomba and Toowoomba City 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 Toowoomba City
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 Toowoomba City
Walkability 74 / 92
East Toowoomba — Walkability: 74/100 Toowoomba City — Walkability: 92/100
Safety 34 / 1
East Toowoomba — Safety: 34/100 Toowoomba City — Safety: 1/100
Low fire risk 100 / 100
East Toowoomba — Low fire risk: 100/100 Toowoomba City — Low fire risk: 100/100

Demographics

East Toowoomba has more residents (5,953 vs 2,321); East Toowoomba has higher household incomes ($82,732 vs $56,368).

East Toowoomba Toowoomba City
Population 5,953
+61% vs other
 2,321
Population trend (2016 → 2021) +13.5% +11.2%
Median age 37 41
Median household income $82,732/yr
+32% vs other
 $56,368/yr
Median weekly rent $300/wk
+15% vs other
 $255/wk

Age profile

Share of residents in each band, 2021 Census.

East Toowoomba Toowoomba City
0-4 5.2% / 4.6%
East Toowoomba — 0-4: 5.2% Toowoomba City — 0-4: 4.6%
5-14 15.6% / 8.7%
East Toowoomba — 5-14: 15.6% Toowoomba City — 5-14: 8.7%
15-19 9.8% / 5.5%
East Toowoomba — 15-19: 9.8% Toowoomba City — 15-19: 5.5%
20-24 5.6% / 7.2%
East Toowoomba — 20-24: 5.6% Toowoomba City — 20-24: 7.2%
25-34 10.9% / 15.9%
East Toowoomba — 25-34: 10.9% Toowoomba City — 25-34: 15.9%
35-44 11.6% / 11.1%
East Toowoomba — 35-44: 11.6% Toowoomba City — 35-44: 11.1%
45-54 13.2% / 12.8%
East Toowoomba — 45-54: 13.2% Toowoomba City — 45-54: 12.8%
55-64 11.6% / 13.1%
East Toowoomba — 55-64: 11.6% Toowoomba City — 55-64: 13.1%
65-74 9.5% / 9.3%
East Toowoomba — 65-74: 9.5% Toowoomba City — 65-74: 9.3%
75-84 5.3% / 5.9%
East Toowoomba — 75-84: 5.3% Toowoomba City — 75-84: 5.9%
85+ 1.8% / 5.9%
East Toowoomba — 85+: 1.8% Toowoomba City — 85+: 5.9%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (15.9%).

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%
Toowoomba City 59.1% lone person
Toowoomba City — Lone Person: 59.1% Toowoomba City — Couple Families: 18.0% Toowoomba City — One Parent Families: 13.4% Toowoomba City — Group Household: 6.0% Toowoomba City — Other Families: 3.6%
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%
Toowoomba City 62.1% renting
Toowoomba City — Owned Outright: 18.9% Toowoomba City — Mortgage: 19.1% Toowoomba City — Renting: 62.1%
Owned outright Mortgage Renting

Qualifications

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

East Toowoomba Toowoomba City
Bachelor Degree 15.8% / 11.2%
East Toowoomba — Bachelor Degree: 15.8% Toowoomba City — Bachelor Degree: 11.2%
Certificate III & IV 11.3% / 12.6%
East Toowoomba — Certificate III & IV: 11.3% Toowoomba City — Certificate III & IV: 12.6%
Advanced Diploma / Diploma 7.6% / 6.4%
East Toowoomba — Advanced Diploma / Diploma: 7.6% Toowoomba City — Advanced Diploma / Diploma: 6.4%
Postgraduate Degree 6.5% / 4.0%
East Toowoomba — Postgraduate Degree: 6.5% Toowoomba City — Postgraduate Degree: 4.0%
Graduate Diploma / Certificate 2.7% / 1.8%
East Toowoomba — Graduate Diploma / Certificate: 2.7% Toowoomba City — Graduate Diploma / Certificate: 1.8%

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

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.

East Toowoomba Toowoomba City
Iraq 1.6% / 4.4%
East Toowoomba — Iraq: 1.6% Toowoomba City — Iraq: 4.4%
England 2.6% / 1.9%
East Toowoomba — England: 2.6% Toowoomba City — England: 1.9%
New Zealand 1.6% / 1.6%
East Toowoomba — New Zealand: 1.6% Toowoomba City — New Zealand: 1.6%
India 1.0% / 0.9%
East Toowoomba — India: 1.0% Toowoomba City — India: 0.9%
China 0.4% / 0.8%
East Toowoomba — China: 0.4% Toowoomba City — China: 0.8%
Philippines 0.6% / —
East Toowoomba — Philippines: 0.6% Toowoomba City — Philippines: not among its largest

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (4.4%).

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%
Toowoomba City 52.7% houses
Toowoomba City — Houses: 52.7% Toowoomba City — Townhouses: 23.2% Toowoomba City — Flats / Apartments: 24.1%
Houses Townhouses Flats / Apartments

Property market

East Toowoomba Toowoomba City
Median house price $1,025,000 $761,750
Median unit price $672,000 $500,000
Median land price —
same for both
Typical days to sell (houses) 41 days
from 32 sales
 25 days
from 21 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 Toowoomba City
3 bed $890K / $730K
East Toowoomba — 3 bed: $890K (32 sales) Toowoomba City — 3 bed: $730K (32 sales)

32 vs 32 sales

4 bed $1.32M / $1.09M
East Toowoomba — 4 bed: $1.32M (25 sales) Toowoomba City — 4 bed: $1.09M (14 sales)

25 vs 14 sales

Development activity

East Toowoomba Toowoomba City
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 Toowoomba City
Houses 3.4%
$650/wk on $999K
 4.2%
$610/wk on $764K
Units 4.3%
$535/wk on $649K
 4.1%
$435/wk on $549K

Ranking within QLD

East Toowoomba Toowoomba City
House price —
same for both
Income Higher than 54% of QLD Higher than 19% of QLD
Schools Higher than 48% of QLD Higher than 28% of QLD
Walkability Higher than 93% of QLD Higher than 99% 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 92% of QLD
Rental yield (houses) Higher than 20% of QLD Higher than 62% of QLD
Rental yield (units) Higher than 44% of QLD Higher than 35% of QLD

Liveability

East Toowoomba scores higher overall (60 vs 34); Toowoomba City is more walkable (92 vs 74).

East Toowoomba Toowoomba City
Grade B D
Score 60/100 34/100
Socio-economic band advantaged area
decile 8/10
 below-average income
decile 2/10

Risk profile

Toowoomba City carries more crime risk (99 vs 66).

East Toowoomba Toowoomba City
Bushfire None
0/100
same for both
Crime Moderate
66/100
 High
99/100
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 Toowoomba City
Inside the suburb 6 3
Rated above peers 1 0
Rated at peers 2 1
Rated below peers 2 1
Universities within 10 km 1
USQ (Toowoomba), 1.8 km
 1
USQ (Toowoomba), 0.0 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 Toowoomba City

  • Holy Name Primary School Catholic · Primary at peers
  • Toowoomba North State School Government · Primary below peers
  • The Industry School - Toowoomba Independent · Secondary

Amenities in the suburb

East Toowoomba Toowoomba City
Supermarkets 1 5
Cafes & restaurants 23 35
Parks & reserves 14
same for both
Childcare 10 7
GPs 10 7
Pharmacies 4 5
Hospitals 1 0
Police stations 0 1
Banks & Bank@Post 1 9
Fuel stations 2 4
Waterways 10 14

Mobility

East Toowoomba Toowoomba City
Walkability score 74/100 92/100
Distance to Brisbane 123.1 km 124.9 km
+1% vs other
Drive time (normal traffic) 95 min 100 min
Public transport score 59/100
Bus
 74/100
Bus
Peak arrivals per hour 16.5
7-9am + 5-7pm
 65.8
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 Toowoomba City
Car (driver) 71.7% / 66.0%
East Toowoomba — Car (driver): 71.7% Toowoomba City — Car (driver): 66.0%
Walked Only 8.4% / 14.8%
East Toowoomba — Walked Only: 8.4% Toowoomba City — Walked Only: 14.8%
Worked from Home 11.8% / 8.5%
East Toowoomba — Worked from Home: 11.8% Toowoomba City — Worked from Home: 8.5%
Car (passenger) 6.5% / 7.5%
East Toowoomba — Car (passenger): 6.5% Toowoomba City — Car (passenger): 7.5%
Bicycle 1.1% / 2.4%
East Toowoomba — Bicycle: 1.1% Toowoomba City — Bicycle: 2.4%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (71.7%).

Setting

East Toowoomba Toowoomba City
Elevation 633 m
above sea level, at the suburb centre
 592 m
above sea level, at the suburb centre

NBN connectivity

East Toowoomba Toowoomba City
Connectivity score 100/100 82/100
Most common technology Fibre to the premises
same for both
Full-fibre (FTTP) share 99%
3,326 premises
 66%
3,276 premises

Climate

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

Federal electorate

East Toowoomba Toowoomba City
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 Toowoomba City
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

Toowoomba City

Parks River Townhouses

More comparisons

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Other comparisons with Toowoomba City

Toowoomba City vs Newtown Toowoomba City vs Harristown Toowoomba City vs South Toowoomba Toowoomba City vs North Toowoomba
Full data on East Toowoomba Full data on Toowoomba City
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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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