Highgate Hill vs South Brisbane

South Brisbane is the younger of the two, with a median age of 29 against 37 in Highgate Hill. In both, most homes are flats or apartments. In Highgate Hill, about half of households rent. In South Brisbane, most households rent and most households are people living alone. Units cost more in Highgate Hill: a median of $900,000, against $788,000 in South Brisbane, though rent is higher in South Brisbane. South Brisbane is closer to the city centre: 3.1 km, against 4.7 km. On these figures, South Brisbane tends to suit renters, young adults, and people living alone.

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

They split

one each way, out of the 6 things we measure here

  • Highgate Hill has more separate houses rather than flats (38% vs 4%)
  • South Brisbane has more childcare (7 vs 0)

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

First-home buyers

South Brisbane

ahead on 2 of the 3 things we measure here

  • has cheaper houses ($925,000 vs $2,310,000)
  • has cheaper units ($787,500 vs $900,000)

Weighs house prices, unit prices, and mortgage stress.

Renters

Highgate Hill

ahead on 2 of the 3 things we measure here

  • leaves renters under less rental stress (20% vs 26%)
  • has cheaper rent ($380/wk vs $470/wk)
  • But South Brisbane has a bigger rental market to choose from (72% vs 52%)

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

  • Highgate Hill has more residents already 65 and over (12% vs 6%)
  • South Brisbane has more GPs (7 vs 3)

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

Investors

South Brisbane

ahead on 2 of the 2 things we measure here

  • is growing faster (98.6% vs 0.6%)
  • returns a higher gross yield on units (4.8% vs 4.0%)

Weighs unit yield and population growth.

Where they sit

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

Highgate Hill South Brisbane
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.

Highgate Hill South Brisbane
Walkability 99 / 97
Highgate Hill — Walkability: 99/100 South Brisbane — Walkability: 97/100
Safety 28 / 9
Highgate Hill — Safety: 28/100 South Brisbane — Safety: 9/100
Low fire risk 100 / 100
Highgate Hill — Low fire risk: 100/100 South Brisbane — Low fire risk: 100/100

Demographics

South Brisbane has more residents (14,292 vs 6,229); Highgate Hill skews older (37 vs 29).

Highgate Hill South Brisbane
Population 6,229 14,292
+129% vs other
Population trend (2016 → 2021) +0.6% +98.6%
Median age 37 29
Median household income $100,724/yr
+6% vs other
 $94,536/yr
Median weekly rent $380/wk $470/wk
+24% vs other

Age profile

Share of residents in each band, 2021 Census.

Highgate Hill South Brisbane
0-4 2.3% / 2.5%
Highgate Hill — 0-4: 2.3% South Brisbane — 0-4: 2.5%
5-14 9.9% / 5.6%
Highgate Hill — 5-14: 9.9% South Brisbane — 5-14: 5.6%
15-19 6.8% / 7.9%
Highgate Hill — 15-19: 6.8% South Brisbane — 15-19: 7.9%
20-24 9.1% / 17.8%
Highgate Hill — 20-24: 9.1% South Brisbane — 20-24: 17.8%
25-34 18.4% / 29.6%
Highgate Hill — 25-34: 18.4% South Brisbane — 25-34: 29.6%
35-44 14.6% / 14.6%
Highgate Hill — 35-44: 14.6% South Brisbane — 35-44: 14.6%
45-54 14.9% / 9.8%
Highgate Hill — 45-54: 14.9% South Brisbane — 45-54: 9.8%
55-64 11.4% / 5.8%
Highgate Hill — 55-64: 11.4% South Brisbane — 55-64: 5.8%
65-74 7.0% / 3.9%
Highgate Hill — 65-74: 7.0% South Brisbane — 65-74: 3.9%
75-84 3.7% / 1.8%
Highgate Hill — 75-84: 3.7% South Brisbane — 75-84: 1.8%
85+ 1.8% / 0.6%
Highgate Hill — 85+: 1.8% South Brisbane — 85+: 0.6%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (29.6%).

Who lives together

Household composition, 2021 Census.

Highgate Hill 41.9% lone person
Highgate Hill — Lone Person: 41.9% Highgate Hill — Couple Families: 29.6% Highgate Hill — Group Household: 14.5% Highgate Hill — One Parent Families: 12.1% Highgate Hill — Other Families: 1.8%
South Brisbane 55.0% lone person
South Brisbane — Lone Person: 55.0% South Brisbane — Couple Families: 16.9% South Brisbane — Group Household: 16.4% South Brisbane — One Parent Families: 9.4% South Brisbane — Other Families: 2.2%
Lone Person Couple Families Group Household One Parent Families Other Families

Who owns and who rents

Occupied private dwellings by tenure, 2021 Census.

Highgate Hill 51.8% renting
Highgate Hill — Owned Outright: 25.0% Highgate Hill — Mortgage: 23.3% Highgate Hill — Renting: 51.8%
South Brisbane 72.0% renting
South Brisbane — Owned Outright: 13.2% South Brisbane — Mortgage: 14.8% South Brisbane — Renting: 72.0%
Owned outright Mortgage Renting

Qualifications

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

Highgate Hill South Brisbane
Bachelor Degree 25.6% / 26.9%
Highgate Hill — Bachelor Degree: 25.6% South Brisbane — Bachelor Degree: 26.9%
Postgraduate Degree 13.4% / 12.1%
Highgate Hill — Postgraduate Degree: 13.4% South Brisbane — Postgraduate Degree: 12.1%
Advanced Diploma / Diploma 6.9% / 8.0%
Highgate Hill — Advanced Diploma / Diploma: 6.9% South Brisbane — Advanced Diploma / Diploma: 8.0%
Certificate III & IV 7.0% / 6.2%
Highgate Hill — Certificate III & IV: 7.0% South Brisbane — Certificate III & IV: 6.2%
Graduate Diploma / Certificate 3.8% / 2.5%
Highgate Hill — Graduate Diploma / Certificate: 3.8% South Brisbane — Graduate Diploma / Certificate: 2.5%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (26.9%).

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.

Highgate Hill South Brisbane
China 1.9% / 11.9%
Highgate Hill — China: 1.9% South Brisbane — China: 11.9%
England 3.6% / 3.5%
Highgate Hill — England: 3.6% South Brisbane — England: 3.5%
New Zealand 2.5% / 2.7%
Highgate Hill — New Zealand: 2.5% South Brisbane — New Zealand: 2.7%
India 1.7% / 2.8%
Highgate Hill — India: 1.7% South Brisbane — India: 2.8%
Vietnam 2.1% / 1.3%
Highgate Hill — Vietnam: 2.1% South Brisbane — Vietnam: 1.3%
Taiwan 0.9% / 1.9%
Highgate Hill — Taiwan: 0.9% South Brisbane — Taiwan: 1.9%
Greece 2.7% / —
Highgate Hill — Greece: 2.7% South Brisbane — Greece: not among its largest

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (11.9%).

What people live in

Occupied private dwellings by structure, 2021 Census.

Highgate Hill 57.9% flats / apartments
Highgate Hill — Flats / Apartments: 57.9% Highgate Hill — Houses: 37.9% Highgate Hill — Townhouses: 4.2%
South Brisbane 94.4% flats / apartments
South Brisbane — Flats / Apartments: 94.4% South Brisbane — Houses: 4.2% South Brisbane — Townhouses: 1.4%
Flats / Apartments Houses Townhouses

Property market

Highgate Hill South Brisbane
Median house price $2,310,000 $925,000
Median unit price $900,000 $787,500
Median land price $1,037,250 —
Typical days to sell (houses) 30 days
from 46 sales
 28 days
from 13 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.

Highgate Hill South Brisbane
1 bed $596K / $639K
Highgate Hill — 1 bed: $596K (22 sales) South Brisbane — 1 bed: $639K (210 sales)

22 vs 210 sales

2 bed $890K / $905K
Highgate Hill — 2 bed: $890K (43 sales) South Brisbane — 2 bed: $905K (241 sales)

43 vs 241 sales

3 bed $1.4M / $1.93M
Highgate Hill — 3 bed: $1.4M (21 sales) South Brisbane — 3 bed: $1.93M (50 sales)

21 vs 50 sales

Development activity

Highgate Hill South Brisbane
New dwellings approved 9,382
across Brisbane
same for both
Approvals change year on year +9%
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.

Highgate Hill South Brisbane
Houses 1.8%
$950/wk on $2.7M
 —
Units 4.0%
$560/wk on $724K
 4.8%
$810/wk on $872K

Ranking within QLD

Highgate Hill South Brisbane
House price —
same for both
Income Higher than 75% of QLD Higher than 68% of QLD
Schools — Higher than 90% of QLD
Walkability Higher than 100% of QLD
same for both
Affordability —
same for both
EV adoption Higher than 99% of QLD
same for both
NBN connectivity Higher than 100% of QLD Higher than 99% of QLD
Rental yield (houses) Higher than 1% of QLD —
Rental yield (units) Higher than 32% of QLD Higher than 67% of QLD

Liveability

Highgate Hill South Brisbane
Grade A
same for both
Score 79/100 76/100
Socio-economic band very advantaged area
decile 10/10
same for both

Risk profile

South Brisbane carries more crime risk (91 vs 72).

Highgate Hill South Brisbane
Bushfire None
0/100
same for both
Crime High
72/100
 High
91/100
Flood —
same for both
Coastal erosion None
0/100
same for both
Aircraft noise None
0/100
same for both
Industrial facilities nearby 12
within 5 km
 10
within 5 km

Schools

Highgate Hill South Brisbane
Inside the suburb 0 5
Rated above peers 0 3
Rated at peers 0
same for both
Rated below peers 0
same for both
Universities within 10 km 3
Brisbane City, 1.1 km
 3
Brisbane City, 0.0 km
Full-time students aged 15–24 5.2% 12.4%

Schools in Highgate Hill

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

Schools in South Brisbane

  • Brisbane State High School Government · Secondary above peers
  • Somerville House Independent · Combined above peers
  • St Laurence's College Catholic · Combined above peers
  • St George College Independent · Primary
  • Queensland Children's Hospital School Government · Combined · Special school

Amenities in the suburb

Highgate Hill South Brisbane
Supermarkets 1 7
Cafes & restaurants 8 140
Parks & reserves 10 13
Childcare 0 7
GPs 3 7
Pharmacies 0 5
Hospitals 0 4
Police stations 0 1
Banks & Bank@Post 0 3
Fuel stations 0 1
EV chargers 0 2
Waterways 1 0

Mobility

Highgate Hill South Brisbane
Walkability score 99/100 97/100
Distance to Brisbane 4.7 km
+34% vs other
 3.1 km
Drive time (normal traffic) 12 min 9 min
Public transport score 79/100
Bus
 94/100
Rail · Bus
Peak arrivals per hour 95.5
7-9am + 5-7pm
 854.0
7-9am + 5-7pm
Median peak wait 0 min
scheduled, not actual
same for both
Electric vehicle share 3.2%
postcode 4101
same for both
Rooftop solar per 100 dwellings 10
postcode 4101
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.

Highgate Hill South Brisbane
Car (driver) 41.0% / 32.3%
Highgate Hill — Car (driver): 41.0% South Brisbane — Car (driver): 32.3%
Worked from Home 28.6% / 24.3%
Highgate Hill — Worked from Home: 28.6% South Brisbane — Worked from Home: 24.3%
Walked Only 10.0% / 21.2%
Highgate Hill — Walked Only: 10.0% South Brisbane — Walked Only: 21.2%
Bus 7.8% / 12.6%
Highgate Hill — Bus: 7.8% South Brisbane — Bus: 12.6%
Bicycle 5.8% / 2.4%
Highgate Hill — Bicycle: 5.8% South Brisbane — Bicycle: 2.4%
Train 2.3% / 4.0%
Highgate Hill — Train: 2.3% South Brisbane — Train: 4.0%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (41.0%).

Setting

Highgate Hill South Brisbane
Elevation 52 m
above sea level, at the suburb centre
 15 m
above sea level, at the suburb centre
Distance to the ocean 12.1 km 11.3 km

NBN connectivity

Highgate Hill South Brisbane
Connectivity score 100/100
same for both
Most common technology Fibre to the premises
same for both
Full-fibre (FTTP) share 100%
101 premises
 100%
4,916 premises

Climate

Highgate Hill South Brisbane
Annual rainfall 1,032 mm
same for both
Summer max (Jan) 30.5°C
same for both
Winter min (Jul) 8.9°C
same for both

Air quality (annual mean)

Highgate Hill South Brisbane
PM2.5 6.0 µg/m³ 5.4 µg/m³
PM10 16.5 µg/m³ 14.7 µg/m³
NO₂ 1.25 pphm —

Council rates

Highgate Hill South Brisbane
Average residential rate $1,519/yr
same for both
Council Brisbane
same for both

Federal electorate

Highgate Hill South Brisbane
Division Griffith
same for both
Member Renee Coffey
same for both
Party Australian Labor Party
same for both

First Home Owner Grant

Highgate Hill South Brisbane
Grant amount $30,000
same for both
Property price cap $750,000
same for both
Eligibility New
same for both

Tags

Highgate Hill

Apartments Cafe Culture Inner Parks Professionals River Urban

South Brisbane

Apartments Arts Cafe Culture Easy Commute Inner Multicultural Nightlife Parks Professionals River Students Transport Hub Urban

More comparisons

Other comparisons with Highgate Hill

Highgate Hill vs West End Highgate Hill vs St Lucia Highgate Hill vs Dutton Park

Other comparisons with South Brisbane

South Brisbane vs West End South Brisbane vs Brisbane City South Brisbane vs Kangaroo Point South Brisbane vs Woolloongabba South Brisbane vs Milton South Brisbane vs Dutton Park
Full data on Highgate Hill Full data on South Brisbane
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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