Garran vs Phillip

Phillip is the younger of the two, with a median age of 32 against 41 in Garran. In Garran, most households own their home, most homes are detached houses, and about half of households are couple families. In Phillip, about half of households rent, most homes are flats or apartments, and most households are people living alone. Houses cost more in Garran: a median of $1.43 million, against $750,000 in Phillip, and rent is higher there too. On these figures, Garran tends to suit families with children, couples, and older residents, while Phillip suits renters, young adults, and people living alone.

Garran and Phillip present quite different risk and return profiles. Garran has a notably higher liveability score of 63 versus 59, and is closer to the CBD at 13.2 km compared to Phillip's 12.1 km. However, Garran carries a significant bushfire risk rating of 88, while Phillip sits at 0, and Phillip's crime risk of 87 is substantially higher than Garran's 61. On rental yields, Phillip outperforms across both property types: houses yield 5.1% versus Garran's 2.9%, and units yield 6.1% versus 4.2%. Garran may suit buyers prioritising liveability and lower crime, while Phillip appeals to investors seeking stronger rental returns, though its higher crime risk warrants consideration.

Written by an AI language model from the figures below. Every number in it is checked against those figures before it is published.

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

Garran

ahead on 4 of the 6 things we measure here

  • has more separate houses rather than flats (61% vs 0%)
  • has more schools rated above their peers (2 vs 0)
  • is already more of a family suburb (64% vs 29%)

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

First-home buyers

Phillip

ahead on 2 of the 3 things we measure here

  • has cheaper houses ($750,000 vs $1,425,000)
  • has cheaper units ($535,000 vs $740,000)

Weighs house prices, unit prices, and mortgage stress.

Renters

Phillip

ahead on 2 of the 3 things we measure here

  • has a bigger rental market to choose from (50% vs 31%)
  • has cheaper rent ($440/wk vs $550/wk)

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

Commuting to the city

Phillip

ahead on the one thing that separates them

  • is more walkable (92/100 vs 73/100)

Weighs distance, drive time, and walkability.

Downsizers and retirees

They split

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

  • Garran has more residents already 65 and over (21% vs 8%)
  • Phillip has more units and townhouses to downsize into (100% vs 39%)

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

Investors

Phillip

ahead on 3 of the 3 things we measure here

  • is growing faster (77.0% vs 6.0%)
  • returns a higher gross yield on houses (4.8% vs 2.9%)
  • returns a higher gross yield on units (6.2% vs 4.2%)

Weighs house yield, unit yield, and population growth.

Where they sit

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

Garran Phillip
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.

Garran Phillip
Walkability 73 / 92
Garran — Walkability: 73/100 Phillip — Walkability: 92/100
Safety 38 / 9
Garran — Safety: 38/100 Phillip — Safety: 9/100
Low fire risk 11 / 11
Garran — Low fire risk: 11/100 Phillip — Low fire risk: 11/100
Low flood risk 100 / 60
Garran — Low flood risk: 100/100 Phillip — Low flood risk: 60/100

Demographics

Garran has higher household incomes ($155,220 vs $107,900); Phillip has more residents (5,197 vs 3,706).

Garran Phillip
Population 3,706 5,197
+40% vs other
Population trend (2016 → 2021) +6.0% +77.0%
Median age 41 32
Median household income $155,220/yr
+30% vs other
 $107,900/yr
Median weekly rent $550/wk
+20% vs other
 $440/wk

Age profile

Share of residents in each band, 2021 Census.

Garran Phillip
0-4 5.2% / 5.8%
Garran — 0-4: 5.2% Phillip — 0-4: 5.8%
5-14 15.5% / 5.4%
Garran — 5-14: 15.5% Phillip — 5-14: 5.4%
15-19 4.9% / 2.2%
Garran — 15-19: 4.9% Phillip — 15-19: 2.2%
20-24 4.5% / 8.9%
Garran — 20-24: 4.5% Phillip — 20-24: 8.9%
25-34 9.4% / 36.1%
Garran — 25-34: 9.4% Phillip — 25-34: 36.1%
35-44 15.7% / 17.3%
Garran — 35-44: 15.7% Phillip — 35-44: 17.3%
45-54 13.1% / 9.4%
Garran — 45-54: 13.1% Phillip — 45-54: 9.4%
55-64 10.5% / 7.3%
Garran — 55-64: 10.5% Phillip — 55-64: 7.3%
65-74 9.2% / 4.6%
Garran — 65-74: 9.2% Phillip — 65-74: 4.6%
75-84 8.1% / 2.2%
Garran — 75-84: 8.1% Phillip — 75-84: 2.2%
85+ 3.8% / 0.8%
Garran — 85+: 3.8% Phillip — 85+: 0.8%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (36.1%).

Who lives together

Household composition, 2021 Census.

Garran 32.0% lone person
Garran — Lone Person: 32.0% Garran — Couple Families: 52.9% Garran — One Parent Families: 10.9% Garran — Group Household: 3.1% Garran — Other Families: 1.1%
Phillip 61.1% lone person
Phillip — Lone Person: 61.1% Phillip — Couple Families: 20.4% Phillip — One Parent Families: 8.5% Phillip — Group Household: 8.2% Phillip — Other Families: 1.8%
Lone Person Couple Families One Parent Families Group Household Other Families

Who owns and who rents

Occupied private dwellings by tenure, 2021 Census.

Garran 30.6% renting
Garran — Owned Outright: 36.7% Garran — Mortgage: 32.7% Garran — Renting: 30.6%
Phillip 50.3% renting
Phillip — Owned Outright: 14.2% Phillip — Mortgage: 35.5% Phillip — Renting: 50.3%
Owned outright Mortgage Renting

Qualifications

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

Garran Phillip
Bachelor Degree 22.3% / 28.7%
Garran — Bachelor Degree: 22.3% Phillip — Bachelor Degree: 28.7%
Postgraduate Degree 15.6% / 16.0%
Garran — Postgraduate Degree: 15.6% Phillip — Postgraduate Degree: 16.0%
Advanced Diploma / Diploma 6.4% / 7.8%
Garran — Advanced Diploma / Diploma: 6.4% Phillip — Advanced Diploma / Diploma: 7.8%
Certificate III & IV 4.8% / 7.3%
Garran — Certificate III & IV: 4.8% Phillip — Certificate III & IV: 7.3%
Graduate Diploma / Certificate 4.0% / 4.7%
Garran — Graduate Diploma / Certificate: 4.0% Phillip — Graduate Diploma / Certificate: 4.7%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (28.7%).

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.

Garran Phillip
India 6.8% / 8.0%
Garran — India: 6.8% Phillip — India: 8.0%
Nepal 1.1% / 6.3%
Garran — Nepal: 1.1% Phillip — Nepal: 6.3%
Philippines 1.3% / 5.1%
Garran — Philippines: 1.3% Phillip — Philippines: 5.1%
England 3.9% / 2.1%
Garran — England: 3.9% Phillip — England: 2.1%
China 2.1% / 2.6%
Garran — China: 2.1% Phillip — China: 2.6%
New Zealand 1.3% / 1.3%
Garran — New Zealand: 1.3% Phillip — New Zealand: 1.3%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (8.0%).

What people live in

Occupied private dwellings by structure, 2021 Census.

Garran 16.5% flats / apartments
Garran — Flats / Apartments: 16.5% Garran — Houses: 61.0% Garran — Townhouses: 22.5%
Phillip 67.1% flats / apartments
Phillip — Flats / Apartments: 67.1% Phillip — Houses: 0.1% Phillip — Townhouses: 32.8%
Flats / Apartments Houses Townhouses

Property market

Garran Phillip
Median house price $1,425,000 $750,000
Median unit price $740,000 $535,000
Median land price —
same for both
Typical days to sell (houses) 22 days
from 18 sales
 26 days
from 8 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.

Garran Phillip
2 bed $652K / $585K
Garran — 2 bed: $652K (13 sales) Phillip — 2 bed: $585K (273 sales)

13 vs 273 sales

3 bed $758K / $750K
Garran — 3 bed: $758K (18 sales) Phillip — 3 bed: $750K (47 sales)

18 vs 47 sales

Development activity

Garran Phillip
New dwellings approved 3,750
across Unincorporated ACT
same for both
Approvals change year on year -48%
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.

Garran Phillip
Houses 2.9%
$800/wk on $1.45M
 4.8%
$628/wk on $678K
Units 4.2%
$620/wk on $760K
 6.2%
$600/wk on $500K

Ranking within ACT

Garran Phillip
House price —
same for both
Income Higher than 85% of ACT Higher than 15% of ACT
Schools Higher than 95% of ACT —
Walkability Higher than 73% of ACT Higher than 100% of ACT
Affordability —
same for both
EV adoption Higher than 92% of ACT Higher than 49% of ACT
NBN connectivity Higher than 20% of ACT Higher than 70% of ACT
Rental yield (houses) Higher than 7% of ACT Higher than 85% of ACT
Rental yield (units) Higher than 10% of ACT Higher than 61% of ACT

Liveability

Garran scores higher overall (69 vs 45); Phillip is more walkable (92 vs 73).

Garran Phillip
Grade A C
Score 69/100 45/100
Socio-economic band very advantaged area
decile 10/10
same for both

Risk profile

Phillip carries more flood risk (40 vs 0); Phillip carries more crime risk (91 vs 62).

Garran Phillip
Bushfire High
89/100
same for both
Crime Moderate
62/100
 High
91/100
Flood None
0/100
 Moderate
40/100
Coastal erosion None
0/100
same for both
Aircraft noise Not mapped
no mapped data here
same for both
Industrial facilities nearby 4
within 5 km
 3
within 5 km

Schools

Garran Phillip
Inside the suburb 3 1
Rated above peers 2 0
Rated at peers 0
same for both
Rated below peers 0
same for both
Universities within 10 km 2
UNSW Canberra, 4.8 km
 2
UNSW Canberra, 6.3 km
Full-time students aged 15–24 2.4% 2.3%

Schools in Garran

  • Garran Primary School Government · Primary above peers
  • Sts Peter and Paul Primary School Catholic · Primary above peers
  • Malkara School Government · Primary · Special school

Schools in Phillip

  • The Canberra College Government · Secondary

Amenities in the suburb

Garran Phillip
Supermarkets 1 3
Cafes & restaurants 3 52
Parks & reserves 1 3
Childcare 6 5
GPs 3 4
Pharmacies 2 4
Hospitals 4 0
Police stations 0 2
Banks & Bank@Post 1 8
Fuel stations 0 3
EV chargers 0 2

Mobility

Garran Phillip
Walkability score 73/100 92/100
Distance to Canberra 13.2 km
+8% vs other
 12.1 km
Drive time (normal traffic) 19 min 18 min
Public transport score 79/100
Bus
same for both
Peak arrivals per hour 92.2
7-9am + 5-7pm
 319.0
7-9am + 5-7pm
Median peak wait 0 min
scheduled, not actual
same for both
Electric vehicle share 4.6%
postcode 2605
 3.4%
postcode 2606
Rooftop solar per 100 dwellings 37
postcode 2605
 20
postcode 2606

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.

Garran Phillip
Car (driver) 62.2% / 55.3%
Garran — Car (driver): 62.2% Phillip — Car (driver): 55.3%
Worked from Home 16.4% / 9.9%
Garran — Worked from Home: 16.4% Phillip — Worked from Home: 9.9%
Walked Only 9.4% / 14.7%
Garran — Walked Only: 9.4% Phillip — Walked Only: 14.7%
Bus 3.9% / 12.8%
Garran — Bus: 3.9% Phillip — Bus: 12.8%
Car (passenger) 5.9% / 6.1%
Garran — Car (passenger): 5.9% Phillip — Car (passenger): 6.1%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (62.2%).

Setting

Garran Phillip
Elevation 624 m
above sea level, at the suburb centre
 589 m
above sea level, at the suburb centre

NBN connectivity

Garran Phillip
Connectivity score 46/100 73/100
Most common technology Fibre to the node Fibre to the premises
Full-fibre (FTTP) share 0%
1,644 premises
 35%
3,650 premises

Climate

Garran Phillip
Annual rainfall 686 mm
same for both
Summer max (Jan) 28.2°C
same for both
Winter min (Jul) 0.9°C
same for both

Air quality (annual mean)

Garran Phillip
PM2.5 5.4 µg/m³
same for both
PM10 14.1 µg/m³
same for both
NO₂ —
same for both

Council rates

Garran Phillip
Average residential rate $3,105/yr
same for both
Council Unincorporated ACT
same for both

Federal electorate

Garran Phillip
Division Canberra Bean
Member Alicia Payne David Smith
Party Australian Labor Party
same for both

First Home Owner Grant

Garran Phillip
Grant amount Not offered
same for both
Property price cap —
same for both
Eligibility None
same for both

Tags

Garran

Inner Premium Professionals Quiet Townhouses

Phillip

Apartments Cafe Culture Middle-Ring Multicultural Professionals Townhouses

More comparisons

Other comparisons with Garran

Garran vs Hughes Garran vs Red Hill Garran vs O'Malley Garran vs Symonston

Other comparisons with Phillip

Phillip vs Curtin Phillip vs Mawson Phillip vs Lyons Phillip vs Hughes Phillip vs Pearce Phillip vs Chifley
Full data on Garran Full data on Phillip
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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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