Forest Lodge vs Annandale

Forest Lodge is the younger of the two, with a median age of 34 against 38 in Annandale. In Forest Lodge, most households rent, most homes are flats or apartments, and about half of households are people living alone. In Annandale, most households own their home. Forest Lodge is closer to the city centre: 3.9 km, against 5.6 km. On these figures, Forest Lodge tends to suit renters and young adults.

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

Annandale

ahead on 5 of the 6 things we measure here

  • has more childcare (7 vs 1)
  • has more separate houses rather than flats (23% vs 4%)
  • has more schools inside the suburb (4 vs 1)

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

First-home buyers

Annandale

ahead on the one thing that separates them

  • has cheaper units ($859,000 vs $960,000)

Weighs house prices, unit prices, and mortgage stress.

Renters

Forest Lodge

ahead on the one thing that separates them

  • has a bigger rental market to choose from (63% vs 42%)

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

They split

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

  • Forest Lodge has more units and townhouses to downsize into (96% vs 77%)
  • Annandale has more residents already 65 and over (14% vs 8%)

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

Investors

Forest Lodge

ahead on 3 of the 3 things we measure here

  • is growing faster (8.3% vs 0.4%)
  • returns a higher gross yield on houses (3.9% vs 2.7%)
  • returns a higher gross yield on units (3.1% vs 2.4%)

Weighs house yield, unit yield, and population growth.

Where they sit

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

Forest Lodge Annandale
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.

Forest Lodge Annandale
Walkability 96 / 96
Forest Lodge — Walkability: 96/100 Annandale — Walkability: 96/100
Safety 35 / 40
Forest Lodge — Safety: 35/100 Annandale — Safety: 40/100
Low fire risk 100 / 100
Forest Lodge — Low fire risk: 100/100 Annandale — Low fire risk: 100/100

Demographics

Annandale has more residents (9,487 vs 4,965); Annandale skews older (38 vs 34).

Forest Lodge Annandale
Population 4,965 9,487
+91% vs other
Population trend (2016 → 2021) +8.3% +0.4%
Median age 34 38
Median household income $126,724/yr $139,516/yr
+10% vs other
Median weekly rent $590/wk
+3% vs other
 $570/wk

Age profile

Share of residents in each band, 2021 Census.

Forest Lodge Annandale
0-4 5.6% / 5.1%
Forest Lodge — 0-4: 5.6% Annandale — 0-4: 5.1%
5-14 6.9% / 10.8%
Forest Lodge — 5-14: 6.9% Annandale — 5-14: 10.8%
15-19 2.7% / 4.3%
Forest Lodge — 15-19: 2.7% Annandale — 15-19: 4.3%
20-24 9.1% / 5.7%
Forest Lodge — 20-24: 9.1% Annandale — 20-24: 5.7%
25-34 25.8% / 17.4%
Forest Lodge — 25-34: 25.8% Annandale — 25-34: 17.4%
35-44 20.9% / 16.7%
Forest Lodge — 35-44: 20.9% Annandale — 35-44: 16.7%
45-54 11.5% / 15.2%
Forest Lodge — 45-54: 11.5% Annandale — 45-54: 15.2%
55-64 9.4% / 11.1%
Forest Lodge — 55-64: 9.4% Annandale — 55-64: 11.1%
65-74 5.3% / 8.6%
Forest Lodge — 65-74: 5.3% Annandale — 65-74: 8.6%
75-84 2.1% / 3.6%
Forest Lodge — 75-84: 2.1% Annandale — 75-84: 3.6%
85+ 0.5% / 1.4%
Forest Lodge — 85+: 0.5% Annandale — 85+: 1.4%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (25.8%).

Who lives together

Household composition, 2021 Census.

Forest Lodge 50.2% lone person
Forest Lodge — Lone Person: 50.2% Forest Lodge — Couple Families: 27.3% Forest Lodge — Group Household: 12.1% Forest Lodge — One Parent Families: 9.0% Forest Lodge — Other Families: 1.5%
Annandale 42.7% lone person
Annandale — Lone Person: 42.7% Annandale — Couple Families: 38.1% Annandale — Group Household: 8.0% Annandale — One Parent Families: 9.8% Annandale — Other Families: 1.4%
Lone Person Couple Families Group Household One Parent Families Other Families

Who owns and who rents

Occupied private dwellings by tenure, 2021 Census.

Forest Lodge 62.7% renting
Forest Lodge — Owned Outright: 17.0% Forest Lodge — Mortgage: 20.3% Forest Lodge — Renting: 62.7%
Annandale 42.5% renting
Annandale — Owned Outright: 26.2% Annandale — Mortgage: 31.3% Annandale — Renting: 42.5%
Owned outright Mortgage Renting

Qualifications

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

Forest Lodge Annandale
Bachelor Degree 31.3% / 28.7%
Forest Lodge — Bachelor Degree: 31.3% Annandale — Bachelor Degree: 28.7%
Postgraduate Degree 19.5% / 14.3%
Forest Lodge — Postgraduate Degree: 19.5% Annandale — Postgraduate Degree: 14.3%
Advanced Diploma / Diploma 7.5% / 7.1%
Forest Lodge — Advanced Diploma / Diploma: 7.5% Annandale — Advanced Diploma / Diploma: 7.1%
Certificate III & IV 4.7% / 5.6%
Forest Lodge — Certificate III & IV: 4.7% Annandale — Certificate III & IV: 5.6%
Graduate Diploma / Certificate 3.4% / 3.1%
Forest Lodge — Graduate Diploma / Certificate: 3.4% Annandale — Graduate Diploma / Certificate: 3.1%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (31.3%).

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.

Forest Lodge Annandale
England 5.9% / 5.1%
Forest Lodge — England: 5.9% Annandale — England: 5.1%
China 7.0% / 0.9%
Forest Lodge — China: 7.0% Annandale — China: 0.9%
New Zealand 3.2% / 2.6%
Forest Lodge — New Zealand: 3.2% Annandale — New Zealand: 2.6%
India 1.3% / 0.7%
Forest Lodge — India: 1.3% Annandale — India: 0.7%
South Africa 0.8% / 0.8%
Forest Lodge — South Africa: 0.8% Annandale — South Africa: 0.8%
Malaysia 1.3% / —
Forest Lodge — Malaysia: 1.3% Annandale — Malaysia: not among its largest
Italy — / 0.8%
Forest Lodge — Italy: not among its largest Annandale — Italy: 0.8%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (7.0%).

What people live in

Occupied private dwellings by structure, 2021 Census.

Forest Lodge 61.9% flats / apartments
Forest Lodge — Flats / Apartments: 61.9% Forest Lodge — Townhouses: 34.6% Forest Lodge — Houses: 3.5%
Annandale 30.0% flats / apartments
Annandale — Flats / Apartments: 30.0% Annandale — Townhouses: 47.2% Annandale — Houses: 22.8%
Flats / Apartments Townhouses Houses

Property market

Forest Lodge Annandale
Median house price $2,350,000 $2,258,750
Median unit price $960,000 $859,000
Median land price —
same for both
Typical days to sell (houses) 23 days
from 26 sales
 23 days
from 66 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.

Forest Lodge Annandale
1 bed $791K / $710K
Forest Lodge — 1 bed: $791K (62 sales) Annandale — 1 bed: $710K (25 sales)

62 vs 25 sales

2 bed $1.5M / $1.03M
Forest Lodge — 2 bed: $1.5M (57 sales) Annandale — 2 bed: $1.03M (20 sales)

57 vs 20 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.

Forest Lodge Annandale
2 bed $1.98M / $1.89M
Forest Lodge — 2 bed: $1.98M (9 sales) Annandale — 2 bed: $1.89M (61 sales)

9 vs 61 sales

3 bed $2.31M / $2.33M
Forest Lodge — 3 bed: $2.31M (32 sales) Annandale — 3 bed: $2.33M (67 sales)

32 vs 67 sales

4 bed $2.85M / $3.15M
Forest Lodge — 4 bed: $2.85M (11 sales) Annandale — 4 bed: $3.15M (31 sales)

11 vs 31 sales

Zoning mix

Forest Lodge Annandale
Residential 75% 71%
Infrastructure and transport 10% 9%
Parks and recreation 8% 9%
Industrial 4%
same for both
Commercial 4%
same for both
Other and special use 0% 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

Forest Lodge Annandale
New dwellings approved 2,350
across Sydney
 849
across Inner West
Approvals change year on year +929% -25%

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.

Forest Lodge Annandale
Houses 3.9%
$1,400/wk on $1.85M
 2.7%
$1,100/wk on $2.1M
Units 3.1%
$880/wk on $1.49M
 2.4%
$650/wk on $1.39M

Ranking within NSW

Forest Lodge Annandale
House price Higher than 91% of NSW Higher than 88% of NSW
Income Higher than 87% of NSW Higher than 92% of NSW
Schools — Higher than 59% of NSW
Walkability Higher than 98% of NSW Higher than 99% of NSW
Affordability Higher than 16% of NSW Higher than 27% of NSW
EV adoption Higher than 95% of NSW Higher than 97% of NSW
NBN connectivity Higher than 93% of NSW Higher than 79% of NSW
Rental yield (houses) Higher than 69% of NSW Higher than 12% of NSW
Rental yield (units) Higher than 5% of NSW Higher than 1% of NSW

Liveability

Forest Lodge scores higher overall (87 vs 80).

Forest Lodge Annandale
Grade A+ A
Score 87/100 80/100
Socio-economic band very advantaged area
decile 10/10
same for both

Risk profile

Forest Lodge Annandale
Bushfire None
0/100
same for both
Crime Moderate
65/100
 Moderate
60/100
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 6
within 5 km
same for both

Schools

Forest Lodge Annandale
Inside the suburb 1 4
Rated above peers 0 1
Rated at peers 1
same for both
Rated below peers 0 2
Universities within 10 km 3
The University of Sydney, 0.8 km
 3
The University of Sydney, 1.3 km
Full-time students aged 15–24 5.8% 3.4%

Schools in Forest Lodge

  • Forest Lodge Public School Government · Primary at peers

Schools in Annandale

  • Annandale Public School Government · Primary above peers
  • St Brendan's Catholic Primary School Catholic · Primary at peers
  • Annandale North Public School Government · Primary below peers
  • Mackillop Education Waranara School Independent · Secondary · Special school below peers

Amenities in the suburb

Forest Lodge Annandale
Supermarkets 1 2
Cafes & restaurants 7 18
Parks & reserves 9 12
Childcare 1 7
GPs 2 1
Pharmacies 0 2
Banks & Bank@Post 0 2
Fuel stations 0 2
Waterways 2 0

Mobility

Forest Lodge Annandale
Walkability score 96/100
same for both
Distance to Sydney 3.9 km 5.6 km
+44% vs other
Drive time (normal traffic) 10 min 11 min
Public transport score 79/100
Bus
 79/100
Tram · Bus
Peak arrivals per hour 100.0
7-9am + 5-7pm
 173.8
7-9am + 5-7pm
Median peak wait 0 min
scheduled, not actual
same for both
Electric vehicle share 2.4%
postcode 2037
 3.0%
postcode 2038
Rooftop solar per 100 dwellings 6
postcode 2037
 15
postcode 2038

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.

Forest Lodge Annandale
Worked from Home 67.8% / 65.0%
Forest Lodge — Worked from Home: 67.8% Annandale — Worked from Home: 65.0%
Car (driver) 15.1% / 22.2%
Forest Lodge — Car (driver): 15.1% Annandale — Car (driver): 22.2%
Walked Only 7.9% / 4.8%
Forest Lodge — Walked Only: 7.9% Annandale — Walked Only: 4.8%
Bus 4.3% / 3.0%
Forest Lodge — Bus: 4.3% Annandale — Bus: 3.0%
Car (passenger) 1.1% / 1.8%
Forest Lodge — Car (passenger): 1.1% Annandale — Car (passenger): 1.8%
Bicycle 1.5% / 1.2%
Forest Lodge — Bicycle: 1.5% Annandale — Bicycle: 1.2%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (67.8%).

Setting

Forest Lodge Annandale
Elevation 27 m
above sea level, at the suburb centre
 26 m
above sea level, at the suburb centre
Distance to the ocean 7.4 km
4.3 km to a named beach
 7.4 km
4.5 km to a named beach

NBN connectivity

Forest Lodge Annandale
Connectivity score 87/100 72/100
Most common technology Fibre to the premises Hybrid fibre-coaxial
Full-fibre (FTTP) share 52%
2,940 premises
 6%
5,128 premises

Climate

Forest Lodge Annandale
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)

Forest Lodge Annandale
PM2.5 6.5 µg/m³
same for both
PM10 15.7 µg/m³
same for both
NO₂ 0.62 pphm
same for both

Council rates

Forest Lodge Annandale
Average residential rate $875/yr $1,342/yr
Council Sydney Inner West

Federal electorate

Forest Lodge Annandale
Division Sydney Grayndler
Member Tanya Plibersek Anthony Albanese
Party Australian Labor Party
same for both

First Home Owner Grant

Forest Lodge Annandale
Grant amount $10,000
same for both
Property price cap $600,000
same for both
Eligibility New
same for both

Tags

Forest Lodge

Apartments Inner Parks Professionals River Townhouses Urban

Annandale

Cafe Culture Inner Parks Premium Professionals River Townhouses Trams Urban

More comparisons

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Forest Lodge vs Glebe Forest Lodge vs Camperdown

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Annandale vs Leichhardt Annandale vs Glebe Annandale vs Camperdown Annandale vs Rozelle Annandale vs Lilyfield Annandale vs Stanmore
Full data on Forest Lodge Full data on Annandale
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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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