Helensvale vs Hope Island

Helensvale is the younger of the two, with a median age of 41 against 50 in Hope Island. In both, most households own their home and most homes are detached houses. In Helensvale, most households are couple families. In Hope Island, about half of households are couple families. Houses cost more in Hope Island: a median of $1.66 million, against $1.36 million in Helensvale, and rent is higher there too. On these figures, Helensvale tends to suit families with children, couples, and buyers on a tighter budget, while Hope Island suits people living alone and older residents.

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

Helensvale

ahead on 5 of the 6 things we measure here

  • has more parks and reserves (66 vs 5)
  • has more schools inside the suburb (2 vs 0)
  • has more childcare (9 vs 4)
  • But Hope Island carries lower crime risk (57/100 vs 75/100)

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

First-home buyers

Helensvale

ahead on 2 of the 4 things we measure here

  • has cheaper houses ($1,359,000 vs $1,660,000)
  • has cheaper units ($759,500 vs $900,000)

Weighs house prices, unit prices, land prices, and mortgage stress.

Renters

Helensvale

ahead on the one thing that separates them

  • has cheaper rent ($495/wk vs $550/wk)

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

Commuting to the city

Helensvale

ahead on the one thing that separates them

  • is more walkable (47/100 vs 39/100)

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

Downsizers and retirees

Hope Island

ahead on 3 of the 5 things we measure here

  • has more units and townhouses to downsize into (41% vs 19%)
  • has more residents already 65 and over (28% vs 17%)
  • carries lower crime risk (57/100 vs 75/100)
  • But Helensvale has more GPs (8 vs 5)

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

Investors

They split

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

  • Helensvale returns a higher gross yield on units (5.5% vs 4.9%)
  • Hope Island is growing faster (29.8% vs 12.4%)

Weighs house yield, unit yield, and population growth.

Where they sit

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

Helensvale Hope Island
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.

Helensvale Hope Island
Walkability 47 / 39
Helensvale — Walkability: 47/100 Hope Island — Walkability: 39/100
Safety 25 / 43
Helensvale — Safety: 25/100 Hope Island — Safety: 43/100
Low fire risk 100 / 100
Helensvale — Low fire risk: 100/100 Hope Island — Low fire risk: 100/100

Demographics

Helensvale has more residents (18,949 vs 14,522); Hope Island skews older (50 vs 41).

Helensvale Hope Island
Population 18,949
+23% vs other
 14,522
Population trend (2016 → 2021) +12.4% +29.8%
Median age 41 50
Median household income $104,728/yr
+4% vs other
 $100,568/yr
Median weekly rent $495/wk $550/wk
+11% vs other

Age profile

Share of residents in each band, 2021 Census.

Helensvale Hope Island
0-4 5.2% / 3.7%
Helensvale — 0-4: 5.2% Hope Island — 0-4: 3.7%
5-14 13.0% / 9.3%
Helensvale — 5-14: 13.0% Hope Island — 5-14: 9.3%
15-19 7.3% / 5.0%
Helensvale — 15-19: 7.3% Hope Island — 15-19: 5.0%
20-24 5.9% / 4.7%
Helensvale — 20-24: 5.9% Hope Island — 20-24: 4.7%
25-34 10.6% / 8.5%
Helensvale — 25-34: 10.6% Hope Island — 25-34: 8.5%
35-44 13.0% / 10.9%
Helensvale — 35-44: 13.0% Hope Island — 35-44: 10.9%
45-54 15.4% / 14.5%
Helensvale — 45-54: 15.4% Hope Island — 45-54: 14.5%
55-64 12.4% / 15.6%
Helensvale — 55-64: 12.4% Hope Island — 55-64: 15.6%
65-74 9.4% / 16.1%
Helensvale — 65-74: 9.4% Hope Island — 65-74: 16.1%
75-84 5.5% / 9.3%
Helensvale — 75-84: 5.5% Hope Island — 75-84: 9.3%
85+ 2.3% / 2.6%
Helensvale — 85+: 2.3% Hope Island — 85+: 2.6%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (16.1%).

Who lives together

Household composition, 2021 Census.

Helensvale 55.4% couple families
Helensvale — Couple Families: 55.4% Helensvale — Lone Person: 23.0% Helensvale — One Parent Families: 16.5% Helensvale — Group Household: 3.7% Helensvale — Other Families: 1.5%
Hope Island 45.4% couple families
Hope Island — Couple Families: 45.4% Hope Island — Lone Person: 32.7% Hope Island — One Parent Families: 15.1% Hope Island — Group Household: 5.5% Hope Island — Other Families: 1.3%
Couple Families Lone Person One Parent Families Group Household Other Families

Who owns and who rents

Occupied private dwellings by tenure, 2021 Census.

Helensvale 19.8% renting
Helensvale — Owned Outright: 32.3% Helensvale — Mortgage: 48.0% Helensvale — Renting: 19.8%
Hope Island 28.1% renting
Hope Island — Owned Outright: 41.1% Hope Island — Mortgage: 30.8% Hope Island — Renting: 28.1%
Owned outright Mortgage Renting

Qualifications

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

Helensvale Hope Island
Certificate III & IV 16.0% / 13.9%
Helensvale — Certificate III & IV: 16.0% Hope Island — Certificate III & IV: 13.9%
Bachelor Degree 11.9% / 13.5%
Helensvale — Bachelor Degree: 11.9% Hope Island — Bachelor Degree: 13.5%
Advanced Diploma / Diploma 9.6% / 10.6%
Helensvale — Advanced Diploma / Diploma: 9.6% Hope Island — Advanced Diploma / Diploma: 10.6%
Postgraduate Degree 3.8% / 4.7%
Helensvale — Postgraduate Degree: 3.8% Hope Island — Postgraduate Degree: 4.7%
Graduate Diploma / Certificate 1.5% / 1.7%
Helensvale — Graduate Diploma / Certificate: 1.5% Hope Island — Graduate Diploma / Certificate: 1.7%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (16.0%).

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.

Helensvale Hope Island
England 7.7% / 8.3%
Helensvale — England: 7.7% Hope Island — England: 8.3%
New Zealand 7.7% / 7.3%
Helensvale — New Zealand: 7.7% Hope Island — New Zealand: 7.3%
South Africa 1.7% / 3.2%
Helensvale — South Africa: 1.7% Hope Island — South Africa: 3.2%
China 2.3% / 2.3%
Helensvale — China: 2.3% Hope Island — China: 2.3%
Scotland 0.6% / 1.1%
Helensvale — Scotland: 0.6% Hope Island — Scotland: 1.1%
India 0.9% / 0.6%
Helensvale — India: 0.9% Hope Island — India: 0.6%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (8.3%).

What people live in

Occupied private dwellings by structure, 2021 Census.

Helensvale 81.3% houses
Helensvale — Houses: 81.3% Helensvale — Townhouses: 14.4% Helensvale — Flats / Apartments: 4.3%
Hope Island 59.4% houses
Hope Island — Houses: 59.4% Hope Island — Townhouses: 19.1% Hope Island — Flats / Apartments: 21.5%
Houses Townhouses Flats / Apartments

Property market

Helensvale Hope Island
Median house price $1,359,000 $1,660,000
Median unit price $759,500 $900,000
Median land price $1,600,000 $1,807,000
Typical days to sell (houses) 32 days
from 212 sales
 56 days
from 132 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.

Helensvale Hope Island
2 bed $735K / $820K
Helensvale — 2 bed: $735K (24 sales) Hope Island — 2 bed: $820K (87 sales)

24 vs 87 sales

3 bed $780K / $1.2M
Helensvale — 3 bed: $780K (7 sales) Hope Island — 3 bed: $1.2M (53 sales)

7 vs 53 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.

Helensvale Hope Island
3 bed $1.03M / $1.3M
Helensvale — 3 bed: $1.03M (67 sales) Hope Island — 3 bed: $1.3M (52 sales)

67 vs 52 sales

4 bed $1.4M / $1.78M
Helensvale — 4 bed: $1.4M (169 sales) Hope Island — 4 bed: $1.78M (120 sales)

169 vs 120 sales

5 bed $1.95M / $2.31M
Helensvale — 5 bed: $1.95M (65 sales) Hope Island — 5 bed: $2.31M (34 sales)

65 vs 34 sales

Development activity

Helensvale Hope Island
New dwellings approved 7,196
across Gold Coast
same for both
Approvals change year on year -35%
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.

Helensvale Hope Island
Houses 5.0%
$1,200/wk on $1.25M
 4.7%
$1,100/wk on $1.22M
Units 5.5%
$850/wk on $797K
 4.9%
$845/wk on $895K

Ranking within QLD

Helensvale Hope Island
House price —
same for both
Income Higher than 77% of QLD Higher than 74% of QLD
Schools —
same for both
Walkability Higher than 86% of QLD Higher than 84% of QLD
Affordability —
same for both
EV adoption Higher than 97% of QLD
same for both
NBN connectivity Higher than 82% of QLD Higher than 94% of QLD
Rental yield (houses) Higher than 91% of QLD Higher than 82% of QLD
Rental yield (units) Higher than 81% of QLD Higher than 72% of QLD

Liveability

Helensvale is more walkable (47 vs 39); Hope Island scores higher overall (70 vs 60).

Helensvale Hope Island
Grade B A
Score 60/100 70/100
Socio-economic band advantaged area
decile 8/10
 very advantaged area
decile 9/10

Risk profile

Helensvale carries more crime risk (75 vs 57).

Helensvale Hope Island
Bushfire None
0/100
same for both
Crime High
75/100
 Moderate
57/100
Flood —
same for both
Coastal erosion None
0/100
same for both
Aircraft noise None
0/100
same for both
Industrial facilities nearby 5
within 5 km
 1
within 5 km

Schools

Helensvale Hope Island
Inside the suburb 2 0
Rated above peers 0
same for both
Rated at peers 2 0
Rated below peers 0
same for both

Schools in Helensvale

  • Helensvale State High School Government · Secondary at peers
  • Helensvale State School Government · Primary at peers

Schools in Hope Island

No schools recorded inside this suburb's boundary. Children here will be zoned to schools nearby.

Amenities in the suburb

Helensvale Hope Island
Supermarkets 6 3
Cafes & restaurants 8 6
Parks & reserves 66 5
Childcare 9 4
GPs 8 5
Pharmacies 4
same for both
Banks & Bank@Post 12 1
Fuel stations 4
same for both
EV chargers 1 0
Waterways 2 3

Mobility

Helensvale Hope Island
Walkability score 47/100 39/100
Distance to Brisbane 65.9 km
+3% vs other
 64 km
Drive time (normal traffic) 53 min
same for both
Public transport score 79/100
Rail · Tram · Bus
 77/100
Bus
Peak arrivals per hour 148.8
7-9am + 5-7pm
 32.8
7-9am + 5-7pm
Median peak wait 0 min
scheduled, not actual
 1 min
scheduled, not actual
Electric vehicle share 2.6%
postcode 4212
same for both
Rooftop solar per 100 dwellings 73
postcode 4212
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.

Helensvale Hope Island
Car (driver) 73.8% / 67.3%
Helensvale — Car (driver): 73.8% Hope Island — Car (driver): 67.3%
Worked from Home 17.5% / 26.5%
Helensvale — Worked from Home: 17.5% Hope Island — Worked from Home: 26.5%
Car (passenger) 4.6% / 3.5%
Helensvale — Car (passenger): 4.6% Hope Island — Car (passenger): 3.5%
Train 1.5% / 0.8%
Helensvale — Train: 1.5% Hope Island — Train: 0.8%
Walked Only 1.0% / 1.2%
Helensvale — Walked Only: 1.0% Hope Island — Walked Only: 1.2%
Tram / Light Rail 1.0% / 0.1%
Helensvale — Tram / Light Rail: 1.0% Hope Island — Tram / Light Rail: 0.1%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (73.8%).

Setting

Helensvale Hope Island
Elevation 13 m
above sea level, at the suburb centre
 3 m
above sea level, at the suburb centre
Distance to the ocean 5.9 km 3.4 km
2.7 km to a named beach

NBN connectivity

Helensvale Hope Island
Connectivity score 73/100 87/100
Most common technology Hybrid fibre-coaxial Fibre to the premises
Full-fibre (FTTP) share 22%
8,208 premises
 52%
7,139 premises

Climate

Helensvale Hope Island
Annual rainfall 1,351 mm
same for both
Summer max (Jan) 28.9°C
same for both
Winter min (Jul) 12.5°C
same for both

Air quality (annual mean)

Helensvale Hope Island
PM2.5 5.0 µg/m³
same for both
PM10 14.5 µg/m³
same for both
NO₂ 0.42 pphm
same for both

Council rates

Helensvale Hope Island
Average residential rate $1,298/yr
same for both
Council Gold Coast
same for both

Federal electorate

Helensvale Hope Island
Division Fadden
same for both
Member Cameron Caldwell
same for both
Party Liberal National Party of Queensland
same for both

First Home Owner Grant

Helensvale Hope Island
Grant amount $30,000
same for both
Property price cap $750,000
same for both
Eligibility New
same for both

Tags

Helensvale

Parks Regional Centre Trams

Hope Island

Premium Regional Centre Retirees River

More comparisons

Other comparisons with Helensvale

Helensvale vs Upper Coomera Helensvale vs Coomera Helensvale vs Oxenford Helensvale vs Arundel Helensvale vs Coombabah Helensvale vs Paradise Point

Other comparisons with Hope Island

Hope Island vs Coomera Hope Island vs Paradise Point
Full data on Helensvale Full data on Hope Island
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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