Hawthorn vs Hawthorn East

In both, about half of households are people living alone. In Hawthorn, about half of households rent and most homes are flats or apartments. In Hawthorn East, most households own their home and about half of homes are flats or apartments. Hawthorn is closer to the city centre: 9.9 km, against 12 km.

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

Hawthorn

ahead on 3 of the 6 things we measure here

  • has more parks and reserves (29 vs 9)
  • has more schools inside the suburb (11 vs 4)
  • has more childcare (13 vs 9)
  • But Hawthorn East is already more of a family suburb (45% vs 36%)

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

First-home buyers

Too close to call

Nothing among the 3 things we measure here separates them by enough to be worth acting on.

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

Hawthorn

ahead on the one thing that separates them

  • sits closer to the CBD (9.9 km vs 12 km)

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

Downsizers and retirees

Hawthorn

ahead on the one thing that separates them

  • has more GPs (12 vs 5)

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

Investors

Hawthorn East

ahead on the one thing that separates them

  • is growing faster (3.6% vs -5.1%)

Weighs house yield, unit yield, and population growth.

Where they sit

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

Hawthorn Hawthorn East
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.

Hawthorn Hawthorn East
Walkability 97 / 99
Hawthorn — Walkability: 97/100 Hawthorn East — Walkability: 99/100
Safety 23 / 28
Hawthorn — Safety: 23/100 Hawthorn East — Safety: 28/100
Low fire risk 100 / 100
Hawthorn — Low fire risk: 100/100 Hawthorn East — Low fire risk: 100/100
Low flood risk 40 / 60
Hawthorn — Low flood risk: 40/100 Hawthorn East — Low flood risk: 60/100

Demographics

Hawthorn has more residents (22,322 vs 14,834); Hawthorn East skews older (36 vs 34).

Hawthorn Hawthorn East
Population 22,322
+34% vs other
 14,834
Population trend (2016 → 2021) -5.1% +3.6%
Median age 34 36
Median household income $111,540/yr $117,156/yr
+5% vs other
Median weekly rent $400/wk $415/wk
+4% vs other

Age profile

Share of residents in each band, 2021 Census.

Hawthorn Hawthorn East
0-4 3.8% / 4.2%
Hawthorn — 0-4: 3.8% Hawthorn East — 0-4: 4.2%
5-14 8.5% / 10.7%
Hawthorn — 5-14: 8.5% Hawthorn East — 5-14: 10.7%
15-19 6.0% / 5.2%
Hawthorn — 15-19: 6.0% Hawthorn East — 15-19: 5.2%
20-24 9.7% / 8.0%
Hawthorn — 20-24: 9.7% Hawthorn East — 20-24: 8.0%
25-34 22.3% / 19.7%
Hawthorn — 25-34: 22.3% Hawthorn East — 25-34: 19.7%
35-44 14.3% / 14.3%
Hawthorn — 35-44: 14.3% Hawthorn East — 35-44: 14.3%
45-54 11.6% / 12.7%
Hawthorn — 45-54: 11.6% Hawthorn East — 45-54: 12.7%
55-64 9.5% / 10.2%
Hawthorn — 55-64: 9.5% Hawthorn East — 55-64: 10.2%
65-74 7.8% / 8.0%
Hawthorn — 65-74: 7.8% Hawthorn East — 65-74: 8.0%
75-84 4.7% / 5.0%
Hawthorn — 75-84: 4.7% Hawthorn East — 75-84: 5.0%
85+ 1.8% / 2.2%
Hawthorn — 85+: 1.8% Hawthorn East — 85+: 2.2%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (22.3%).

Who lives together

Household composition, 2021 Census.

Hawthorn 51.5% lone person
Hawthorn — Lone Person: 51.5% Hawthorn — Couple Families: 28.3% Hawthorn — Group Household: 10.6% Hawthorn — One Parent Families: 7.3% Hawthorn — Other Families: 2.2%
Hawthorn East 45.1% lone person
Hawthorn East — Lone Person: 45.1% Hawthorn East — Couple Families: 35.1% Hawthorn East — Group Household: 8.5% Hawthorn East — One Parent Families: 9.5% Hawthorn East — Other Families: 1.8%
Lone Person Couple Families Group Household One Parent Families Other Families

Who owns and who rents

Occupied private dwellings by tenure, 2021 Census.

Hawthorn 46.8% renting
Hawthorn — Owned Outright: 27.5% Hawthorn — Mortgage: 25.6% Hawthorn — Renting: 46.8%
Hawthorn East 40.8% renting
Hawthorn East — Owned Outright: 30.2% Hawthorn East — Mortgage: 28.9% Hawthorn East — Renting: 40.8%
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.

Hawthorn Hawthorn East
China 3.1% / 5.5%
Hawthorn — China: 3.1% Hawthorn East — China: 5.5%
India 3.5% / 3.0%
Hawthorn — India: 3.5% Hawthorn East — India: 3.0%
England 3.1% / 2.9%
Hawthorn — England: 3.1% Hawthorn East — England: 2.9%
Malaysia 1.6% / 2.0%
Hawthorn — Malaysia: 1.6% Hawthorn East — Malaysia: 2.0%
New Zealand 1.7% / 1.7%
Hawthorn — New Zealand: 1.7% Hawthorn East — New Zealand: 1.7%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (5.5%).

Qualifications

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

Hawthorn Hawthorn East
Bachelor Degree 30.2% / 29.9%
Hawthorn — Bachelor Degree: 30.2% Hawthorn East — Bachelor Degree: 29.9%
Postgraduate Degree 14.9% / 14.5%
Hawthorn — Postgraduate Degree: 14.9% Hawthorn East — Postgraduate Degree: 14.5%
Advanced Diploma / Diploma 7.5% / 7.0%
Hawthorn — Advanced Diploma / Diploma: 7.5% Hawthorn East — Advanced Diploma / Diploma: 7.0%
Certificate III & IV 4.7% / 4.6%
Hawthorn — Certificate III & IV: 4.7% Hawthorn East — Certificate III & IV: 4.6%
Graduate Diploma / Certificate 4.2% / 4.2%
Hawthorn — Graduate Diploma / Certificate: 4.2% Hawthorn East — Graduate Diploma / Certificate: 4.2%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (30.2%).

What people live in

Occupied private dwellings by structure, 2021 Census.

Hawthorn 59.6% flats / apartments
Hawthorn — Flats / Apartments: 59.6% Hawthorn — Houses: 24.3% Hawthorn — Townhouses: 16.1%
Hawthorn East 49.0% flats / apartments
Hawthorn East — Flats / Apartments: 49.0% Hawthorn East — Houses: 33.1% Hawthorn East — Townhouses: 18.0%
Flats / Apartments Houses Townhouses

Property market

Hawthorn Hawthorn East
Median house price $2,019,000 $2,207,500
Median unit price $558,000 $570,500
Median land price —
same for both
Typical days to sell (houses) 25 days
from 75 sales
 24 days
from 96 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.

Hawthorn Hawthorn East
1 bed $395K / $370K
Hawthorn — 1 bed: $395K (183 sales) Hawthorn East — 1 bed: $370K (101 sales)

183 vs 101 sales

2 bed $633K / $641K
Hawthorn — 2 bed: $633K (275 sales) Hawthorn East — 2 bed: $641K (175 sales)

275 vs 175 sales

3 bed $995K / $1.17M
Hawthorn — 3 bed: $995K (21 sales) Hawthorn East — 3 bed: $1.17M (23 sales)

21 vs 23 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.

Hawthorn Hawthorn East
2 bed $1.35M / $1.48M
Hawthorn — 2 bed: $1.35M (21 sales) Hawthorn East — 2 bed: $1.48M (21 sales)

21 vs 21 sales

3 bed $1.9M / $2.12M
Hawthorn — 3 bed: $1.9M (38 sales) Hawthorn East — 3 bed: $2.12M (59 sales)

38 vs 59 sales

4 bed $3.21M / $2.73M
Hawthorn — 4 bed: $3.21M (23 sales) Hawthorn East — 4 bed: $2.73M (41 sales)

23 vs 41 sales

5 bed $5.1M / $3.58M
Hawthorn — 5 bed: $5.1M (10 sales) Hawthorn East — 5 bed: $3.58M (16 sales)

10 vs 16 sales

Zoning mix

Hawthorn Hawthorn East
Residential 68% 76%
Infrastructure and transport 11% 9%
Parks and recreation 9% 5%
Commercial 8% 9%
Other and special use 4% 0%
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

Hawthorn Hawthorn East
New dwellings approved 711
across Boroondara
same for both
Approvals change year on year -40%
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.

Hawthorn Hawthorn East
Houses 3.1%
$1,250/wk on $2.1M
 2.7%
$992/wk on $1.89M
Units 5.0%
$550/wk on $571K
 4.9%
$575/wk on $612K

Ranking within VIC

Hawthorn Hawthorn East
House price Higher than 99% of VIC Higher than 98% of VIC
Income Higher than 84% of VIC Higher than 90% of VIC
Schools Higher than 47% of VIC Higher than 84% of VIC
Walkability Higher than 99% of VIC
same for both
Affordability Higher than 1% of VIC Higher than 2% of VIC
EV adoption Higher than 97% of VIC Higher than 98% of VIC
NBN connectivity Higher than 92% of VIC Higher than 91% of VIC
Rental yield (houses) Higher than 17% of VIC Higher than 7% of VIC
Rental yield (units) Higher than 62% of VIC Higher than 55% of VIC

Liveability

Hawthorn East scores higher overall (86 vs 71).

Hawthorn Hawthorn East
Grade A A+
Score 71/100 86/100
Socio-economic band very advantaged area
decile 10/10
same for both

Risk profile

Hawthorn carries more flood risk (60 vs 40).

Hawthorn Hawthorn East
Bushfire None
0/100
same for both
Crime High
77/100
 High
72/100
Flood Moderate
60/100
 Moderate
40/100
Coastal erosion None
0/100
same for both
Aircraft noise None
0/100
same for both
Industrial facilities nearby 6
within 5 km
 4
within 5 km

Schools

Hawthorn Hawthorn East
Inside the suburb 11 4
Rated above peers 2
same for both
Rated at peers 2
same for both
Rated below peers 2 0
Universities within 10 km 3
Hawthorn Campus John Street Hawthorn Swinburne University, 0.0 km
 3
Hawthorn Campus John Street Hawthorn Swinburne University, 1.7 km
Full-time students aged 15–24 6.7% 4.5%

Schools in Hawthorn

  • Erasmus Primary School Independent · Primary above peers
  • Scotch College Independent · Combined above peers
  • Glenferrie Primary School Government · Primary at peers
  • St Joseph's School Catholic · Primary at peers
  • Bialik College Independent · Combined below peers
  • Hawthorn West Primary School Government · Primary below peers

Schools in Hawthorn East

  • Alia College Independent · Secondary above peers
  • Auburn High School Government · Secondary above peers
  • Auburn Primary School Government · Primary at peers
  • Auburn South Primary School Government · Primary at peers

Amenities in the suburb

Hawthorn Hawthorn East
Supermarkets 3 2
Cafes & restaurants 82 21
Parks & reserves 29 9
Childcare 13 9
GPs 12 5
Pharmacies 7 2
Hospitals 1 0
Banks & Bank@Post 7 1
Fuel stations 6 2
EV chargers 1
same for both
Waterways 1 0

Mobility

Hawthorn East sits further from the CBD (12 km vs 9.9 km).

Hawthorn Hawthorn East
Walkability score 97/100 99/100
Distance to Melbourne 9.9 km 12 km
+21% vs other
Drive time (normal traffic) 18 min 20 min
Public transport score 97/100
Rail · Tram · Bus
same for both
Peak arrivals per hour 468.5
7-9am + 5-7pm
 116.8
7-9am + 5-7pm
Median peak wait 0 min
scheduled, not actual
same for both
Electric vehicle share 2.5%
postcode 3122
 2.8%
postcode 3123
Rooftop solar per 100 dwellings 9
postcode 3122
 11
postcode 3123

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.

Hawthorn Hawthorn East
Worked from Home 50.5% / 50.5%
Hawthorn — Worked from Home: 50.5% Hawthorn East — Worked from Home: 50.5%
Car (driver) 31.6% / 35.3%
Hawthorn — Car (driver): 31.6% Hawthorn East — Car (driver): 35.3%
Train 6.3% / 5.8%
Hawthorn — Train: 6.3% Hawthorn East — Train: 5.8%
Walked Only 5.4% / 3.6%
Hawthorn — Walked Only: 5.4% Hawthorn East — Walked Only: 3.6%
Tram / Light Rail 2.6% / 1.2%
Hawthorn — Tram / Light Rail: 2.6% Hawthorn East — Tram / Light Rail: 1.2%
Car (passenger) 1.8% / 2.0%
Hawthorn — Car (passenger): 1.8% Hawthorn East — Car (passenger): 2.0%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (50.5%).

Setting

Hawthorn Hawthorn East
Elevation 38 m
above sea level, at the suburb centre
 51 m
above sea level, at the suburb centre
Distance to the ocean 6.8 km 7.8 km

NBN connectivity

Hawthorn Hawthorn East
Connectivity score 82/100
same for both
Most common technology Fibre to the curb
same for both
Full-fibre (FTTP) share 27%
15,213 premises
 27%
8,547 premises

Climate

Hawthorn Hawthorn East
Annual rainfall 534 mm 644 mm
Summer max (Jan) 26.7°C 26.0°C
Winter min (Jul) 6.5°C 6.9°C

Air quality (annual mean)

Hawthorn Hawthorn East
PM2.5 7.3 µg/m³
same for both
PM10 17.8 µg/m³
same for both
NO₂ 0.82 pphm
same for both

Council rates

Hawthorn Hawthorn East
Average residential rate $2,253/yr
same for both
Council Boroondara
same for both

Federal electorate

Hawthorn Hawthorn East
Division Kooyong
same for both
Member Monique Ryan
same for both
Party Independent
same for both

First Home Owner Grant

Hawthorn Hawthorn East
Grant amount $10,000
same for both
Property price cap $750,000
same for both
Eligibility New
same for both

Tags

Hawthorn

Apartments Cafe Culture Easy Commute Inner Parks Professionals Trams Transport Hub Urban

Hawthorn East

Apartments Cafe Culture Easy Commute Inner Parks Professionals Trams Transport Hub Urban

More comparisons

Other comparisons with Hawthorn

Hawthorn vs Richmond Hawthorn vs Kew Hawthorn vs Toorak Hawthorn vs Malvern Hawthorn vs Abbotsford Hawthorn vs Kooyong

Other comparisons with Hawthorn East

Hawthorn East vs Glen Iris Hawthorn East vs Kew Hawthorn East vs Camberwell Hawthorn East vs Malvern Hawthorn East vs Canterbury Hawthorn East vs Kooyong
Full data on Hawthorn Full data on Hawthorn East
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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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