Gungahlin vs Palmerston

Gungahlin is the younger of the two, with a median age of 31 against 36 in Palmerston. In Gungahlin, about half of households rent and about half of homes are flats or apartments. In Palmerston, most households own their home, most homes are detached houses, and about half of households are couple families. On these figures, Gungahlin tends to suit renters and young adults, while Palmerston suits families with children.

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

Palmerston

ahead on 3 of the 6 things we measure here

  • carries lower crime risk (47/100 vs 84/100)
  • has more separate houses rather than flats (60% vs 36%)
  • is already more of a family suburb (65% vs 53%)
  • But Gungahlin has more parks and reserves (5 vs 0)

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

First-home buyers

Gungahlin

ahead on the one thing that separates them

  • has cheaper units ($426,500 vs $643,500)

Weighs house prices, unit prices, and mortgage stress.

Renters

Gungahlin

ahead on the one thing that separates them

  • has a bigger rental market to choose from (54% vs 29%)

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

Commuting to the city

Gungahlin

ahead on 2 of the 4 things we measure here

  • gets more of its commuters onto trains and trams (8% vs 1%)
  • is more walkable (86/100 vs 61/100)

Weighs distance, drive time, rail access, and walkability.

Downsizers and retirees

Gungahlin

ahead on 3 of the 5 things we measure here

  • has more GPs (9 vs 1)
  • has more units and townhouses to downsize into (64% vs 40%)
  • is more walkable (86/100 vs 61/100)
  • But Palmerston has more residents already 65 and over (12% vs 6%)

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

Investors

Gungahlin

ahead on the one thing that separates them

  • is growing faster (40.0% vs 1.0%)

Weighs house yield and population growth.

Where they sit

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

Gungahlin Palmerston
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.

Gungahlin Palmerston
Walkability 86 / 61
Gungahlin — Walkability: 86/100 Palmerston — Walkability: 61/100
Safety 16 / 53
Gungahlin — Safety: 16/100 Palmerston — Safety: 53/100
Low fire risk 10 / 6
Gungahlin — Low fire risk: 10/100 Palmerston — Low fire risk: 6/100
Low flood risk 58 / 100
Gungahlin — Low flood risk: 58/100 Palmerston — Low flood risk: 100/100

Demographics

Gungahlin has more residents (8,586 vs 5,579); Palmerston skews older (36 vs 31).

Gungahlin Palmerston
Population 8,586
+35% vs other
 5,579
Population trend (2016 → 2021) +40.0% +1.0%
Median age 31 36
Median household income $114,816/yr $120,432/yr
+5% vs other
Median weekly rent $450/wk
same for both

Age profile

Share of residents in each band, 2021 Census.

Gungahlin Palmerston
0-4 6.5% / 6.8%
Gungahlin — 0-4: 6.5% Palmerston — 0-4: 6.8%
5-14 9.4% / 13.5%
Gungahlin — 5-14: 9.4% Palmerston — 5-14: 13.5%
15-19 5.1% / 5.1%
Gungahlin — 15-19: 5.1% Palmerston — 15-19: 5.1%
20-24 9.5% / 6.4%
Gungahlin — 20-24: 9.5% Palmerston — 20-24: 6.4%
25-34 27.8% / 15.3%
Gungahlin — 25-34: 27.8% Palmerston — 25-34: 15.3%
35-44 16.5% / 15.7%
Gungahlin — 35-44: 16.5% Palmerston — 35-44: 15.7%
45-54 11.6% / 13.5%
Gungahlin — 45-54: 11.6% Palmerston — 45-54: 13.5%
55-64 7.3% / 11.6%
Gungahlin — 55-64: 7.3% Palmerston — 55-64: 11.6%
65-74 4.2% / 8.3%
Gungahlin — 65-74: 4.2% Palmerston — 65-74: 8.3%
75-84 1.7% / 3.0%
Gungahlin — 75-84: 1.7% Palmerston — 75-84: 3.0%
85+ 0.4% / 0.9%
Gungahlin — 85+: 0.4% Palmerston — 85+: 0.9%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (27.8%).

Who lives together

Household composition, 2021 Census.

Gungahlin 41.3% couple families
Gungahlin — Couple Families: 41.3% Gungahlin — Lone Person: 34.8% Gungahlin — One Parent Families: 12.0% Gungahlin — Group Household: 9.5% Gungahlin — Other Families: 2.3%
Palmerston 47.2% couple families
Palmerston — Couple Families: 47.2% Palmerston — Lone Person: 29.2% Palmerston — One Parent Families: 17.6% Palmerston — Group Household: 4.3% Palmerston — Other Families: 1.6%
Couple Families Lone Person One Parent Families Group Household Other Families

Who owns and who rents

Occupied private dwellings by tenure, 2021 Census.

Gungahlin 53.6% renting
Gungahlin — Owned Outright: 13.5% Gungahlin — Mortgage: 32.9% Gungahlin — Renting: 53.6%
Palmerston 28.7% renting
Palmerston — Owned Outright: 28.7% Palmerston — Mortgage: 42.6% Palmerston — Renting: 28.7%
Owned outright Mortgage Renting

Qualifications

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

Gungahlin Palmerston
Bachelor Degree 20.4% / 17.5%
Gungahlin — Bachelor Degree: 20.4% Palmerston — Bachelor Degree: 17.5%
Postgraduate Degree 14.2% / 9.6%
Gungahlin — Postgraduate Degree: 14.2% Palmerston — Postgraduate Degree: 9.6%
Certificate III & IV 7.9% / 10.2%
Gungahlin — Certificate III & IV: 7.9% Palmerston — Certificate III & IV: 10.2%
Advanced Diploma / Diploma 8.4% / 7.8%
Gungahlin — Advanced Diploma / Diploma: 8.4% Palmerston — Advanced Diploma / Diploma: 7.8%
Graduate Diploma / Certificate 2.7% / 3.4%
Gungahlin — Graduate Diploma / Certificate: 2.7% Palmerston — Graduate Diploma / Certificate: 3.4%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (20.4%).

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.

Gungahlin Palmerston
China 8.7% / 3.8%
Gungahlin — China: 8.7% Palmerston — China: 3.8%
India 7.5% / 3.6%
Gungahlin — India: 7.5% Palmerston — India: 3.6%
Nepal 4.9% / —
Gungahlin — Nepal: 4.9% Palmerston — Nepal: not among its largest
Vietnam 1.9% / 2.4%
Gungahlin — Vietnam: 1.9% Palmerston — Vietnam: 2.4%
England 1.8% / 2.0%
Gungahlin — England: 1.8% Palmerston — England: 2.0%
Philippines 1.7% / 1.2%
Gungahlin — Philippines: 1.7% Palmerston — Philippines: 1.2%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (8.7%).

What people live in

Occupied private dwellings by structure, 2021 Census.

Gungahlin 35.5% houses
Gungahlin — Houses: 35.5% Gungahlin — Townhouses: 17.4% Gungahlin — Flats / Apartments: 47.1%
Palmerston 60.2% houses
Palmerston — Houses: 60.2% Palmerston — Townhouses: 39.6% Palmerston — Flats / Apartments: 0.2%
Houses Townhouses Flats / Apartments

Property market

Gungahlin Palmerston
Median house price $985,000 $916,000
Median unit price $426,500 $643,500
Median land price — $786,000
Typical days to sell (houses) 24 days
from 56 sales
 21 days
from 58 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.

Gungahlin Palmerston
2 bed $445K / $640K
Gungahlin — 2 bed: $445K (99 sales) Palmerston — 2 bed: $640K (11 sales)

99 vs 11 sales

3 bed $680K / $651K
Gungahlin — 3 bed: $680K (20 sales) Palmerston — 3 bed: $651K (14 sales)

20 vs 14 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.

Gungahlin Palmerston
3 bed $850K / $843K
Gungahlin — 3 bed: $850K (23 sales) Palmerston — 3 bed: $843K (46 sales)

23 vs 46 sales

4 bed $1.08M / $1.09M
Gungahlin — 4 bed: $1.08M (31 sales) Palmerston — 4 bed: $1.09M (38 sales)

31 vs 38 sales

5 bed $1.14M / $1.32M
Gungahlin — 5 bed: $1.14M (9 sales) Palmerston — 5 bed: $1.32M (9 sales)

9 vs 9 sales

Development activity

Gungahlin Palmerston
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.

Gungahlin Palmerston
Houses 4.3%
$720/wk on $875K
 4.3%
$630/wk on $769K
Units 6.7%
$565/wk on $439K
 —

Ranking within ACT

Gungahlin Palmerston
House price —
same for both
Income Higher than 26% of ACT Higher than 41% of ACT
Schools —
same for both
Walkability Higher than 96% of ACT Higher than 48% of ACT
Affordability —
same for both
EV adoption Higher than 28% of ACT Higher than 35% of ACT
NBN connectivity Higher than 93% of ACT Higher than 84% of ACT
Rental yield (houses) Higher than 46% of ACT Higher than 45% of ACT
Rental yield (units) Higher than 76% of ACT —

Liveability

Gungahlin is more walkable (86 vs 61).

Gungahlin Palmerston
Grade C
same for both
Score 39/100 40/100
Socio-economic band very advantaged area
decile 9/10
same for both

Risk profile

Gungahlin carries more flood risk (42 vs 0); Gungahlin carries more crime risk (84 vs 47).

Gungahlin Palmerston
Bushfire High
90/100
 High
94/100
Crime High
84/100
 Moderate
47/100
Flood Moderate
42/100
 None
0/100
Coastal erosion None
0/100
same for both
Aircraft noise Not mapped
no mapped data here
same for both
Industrial facilities nearby 2
within 5 km
same for both

Schools

Gungahlin Palmerston
Inside the suburb 2 1
Rated above peers 0
same for both
Rated at peers 0
same for both
Rated below peers 0 1
Universities within 10 km 2
UC - Canberra, Bruce, 7.7 km
 2
UC - Canberra, Bruce, 6.2 km
Full-time students aged 15–24 3.1% 2.4%

Schools in Gungahlin

  • Burgmann Anglican School Independent · Combined
  • Gungahlin College Government · Secondary

Schools in Palmerston

  • Palmerston District Primary School Government · Primary below peers

Amenities in the suburb

Gungahlin Palmerston
Supermarkets 2 1
Cafes & restaurants 28 0
Parks & reserves 5 0
Childcare 11 2
GPs 9 1
Pharmacies 3 1
Police stations 2 0
Banks & Bank@Post 7 0
Fuel stations 2 0
EV chargers 3 0

Mobility

Gungahlin Palmerston
Walkability score 86/100 61/100
Distance to Canberra 13.5 km
+4% vs other
 13 km
Drive time (normal traffic) 20 min
same for both
Public transport score 94/100
Tram · Bus
 78/100
Bus
Peak arrivals per hour 200.5
7-9am + 5-7pm
 58.5
7-9am + 5-7pm
Median peak wait 0 min
scheduled, not actual
 1 min
scheduled, not actual
Electric vehicle share 2.5%
postcode 2912
 2.7%
postcode 2913
Rooftop solar per 100 dwellings 19
postcode 2912
 47
postcode 2913

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.

Gungahlin Palmerston
Car (driver) 64.7% / 73.5%
Gungahlin — Car (driver): 64.7% Palmerston — Car (driver): 73.5%
Worked from Home 10.1% / 12.1%
Gungahlin — Worked from Home: 10.1% Palmerston — Worked from Home: 12.1%
Car (passenger) 6.6% / 6.8%
Gungahlin — Car (passenger): 6.6% Palmerston — Car (passenger): 6.8%
Tram / Light Rail 7.9% / 1.4%
Gungahlin — Tram / Light Rail: 7.9% Palmerston — Tram / Light Rail: 1.4%
Bus 5.0% / 4.1%
Gungahlin — Bus: 5.0% Palmerston — Bus: 4.1%
Walked Only 5.2% / 0.7%
Gungahlin — Walked Only: 5.2% Palmerston — Walked Only: 0.7%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (73.5%).

Setting

Gungahlin Palmerston
Elevation 627 m
above sea level, at the suburb centre
 617 m
above sea level, at the suburb centre

NBN connectivity

Gungahlin Palmerston
Connectivity score 100/100
same for both
Most common technology Fibre to the premises
same for both
Full-fibre (FTTP) share 100%
3,690 premises
 100%
2,192 premises

Climate

Gungahlin Palmerston
Annual rainfall 622 mm
same for both
Summer max (Jan) 28.5°C
same for both
Winter min (Jul) 0.8°C
same for both

Air quality (annual mean)

Gungahlin Palmerston
PM2.5 6.6 µg/m³
same for both
PM10 11.0 µg/m³
same for both
NO₂ 0.41 pphm
same for both

Council rates

Gungahlin Palmerston
Average residential rate $3,105/yr
same for both
Council Unincorporated ACT
same for both

Federal electorate

Gungahlin Palmerston
Division Fenner
same for both
Member Andrew Leigh
same for both
Party Australian Labor Party
same for both

First Home Owner Grant

Gungahlin Palmerston
Grant amount Not offered
same for both
Property price cap —
same for both
Eligibility None
same for both

Tags

Gungahlin

Affordable Apartments Easy Commute Middle-Ring Multicultural Trams Transport Hub

Palmerston

Middle-Ring Townhouses

More comparisons

Other comparisons with Gungahlin

Gungahlin vs Ngunnawal Gungahlin vs Harrison Gungahlin vs Franklin Gungahlin vs Nicholls Gungahlin vs Amaroo Gungahlin vs Forde

Other comparisons with Palmerston

Palmerston vs Ngunnawal Palmerston vs Nicholls Palmerston vs Crace
Full data on Gungahlin Full data on Palmerston
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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