Kalgoorlie vs Somerville

In both, most homes are detached houses. In Kalgoorlie, about half of households rent and about half of households are people living alone. In Somerville, most households own their home and most households are couple families. Houses cost more in Somerville: a median of $590,000, against $455,000 in Kalgoorlie, and rent is higher there too. On these figures, Kalgoorlie tends to suit people living alone and buyers on a tighter budget, while Somerville suits families with children and couples.

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

  • Kalgoorlie has more childcare (5 vs 1)
  • Somerville is already more of a family suburb (67% vs 45%)

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

First-home buyers

Kalgoorlie

ahead on the one thing that separates them

  • has cheaper houses ($455,000 vs $590,000)

Weighs house prices, unit prices, and mortgage stress.

Renters

Kalgoorlie

ahead on the one thing that separates them

  • has cheaper rent ($300/wk vs $330/wk)

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

Commuting to the city

Kalgoorlie

ahead on the one thing that separates them

  • is more walkable (88/100 vs 58/100)

Weighs distance, drive time, and walkability.

Downsizers and retirees

Kalgoorlie

ahead on 3 of the 5 things we measure here

  • has more GPs (6 vs 0)
  • has more residents already 65 and over (12% vs 6%)
  • is more walkable (88/100 vs 58/100)
  • But Somerville carries lower crime risk (76/100 vs 96/100)

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

Investors

They split

one each way, out of the 2 things we measure here

  • Kalgoorlie returns a higher gross yield on houses (7.1% vs 6.3%)
  • Somerville is growing faster (0.2% vs -4.9%)

Weighs house yield and population growth.

Where they sit

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

Kalgoorlie Somerville
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.

Kalgoorlie Somerville
Walkability 88 / 58
Kalgoorlie — Walkability: 88/100 Somerville — Walkability: 58/100
Safety 4 / 24
Kalgoorlie — Safety: 4/100 Somerville — Safety: 24/100
Low fire risk 100 / 100
Kalgoorlie — Low fire risk: 100/100 Somerville — Low fire risk: 100/100
Low flood risk 70 / 39
Kalgoorlie — Low flood risk: 70/100 Somerville — Low flood risk: 39/100

Demographics

Somerville has higher household incomes ($155,792 vs $108,940); Somerville rents higher ($330/wk vs $300/wk).

Kalgoorlie Somerville
Population 3,711 4,165
+12% vs other
Population trend (2016 → 2021) -4.9% +0.2%
Median age 35 33
Median household income $108,940/yr $155,792/yr
+43% vs other
Median weekly rent $300/wk $330/wk
+10% vs other

Age profile

Share of residents in each band, 2021 Census.

Kalgoorlie Somerville
0-4 6.0% / 8.4%
Kalgoorlie — 0-4: 6.0% Somerville — 0-4: 8.4%
5-14 10.0% / 15.8%
Kalgoorlie — 5-14: 10.0% Somerville — 5-14: 15.8%
15-19 4.5% / 6.4%
Kalgoorlie — 15-19: 4.5% Somerville — 15-19: 6.4%
20-24 8.5% / 6.3%
Kalgoorlie — 20-24: 8.5% Somerville — 20-24: 6.3%
25-34 20.2% / 15.6%
Kalgoorlie — 25-34: 20.2% Somerville — 25-34: 15.6%
35-44 13.5% / 15.5%
Kalgoorlie — 35-44: 13.5% Somerville — 35-44: 15.5%
45-54 13.3% / 15.2%
Kalgoorlie — 45-54: 13.3% Somerville — 45-54: 15.2%
55-64 12.4% / 10.9%
Kalgoorlie — 55-64: 12.4% Somerville — 55-64: 10.9%
65-74 6.3% / 4.9%
Kalgoorlie — 65-74: 6.3% Somerville — 65-74: 4.9%
75-84 3.5% / 1.0%
Kalgoorlie — 75-84: 3.5% Somerville — 75-84: 1.0%
85+ 1.9% / 0.1%
Kalgoorlie — 85+: 1.9% Somerville — 85+: 0.1%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (20.2%).

Who lives together

Household composition, 2021 Census.

Kalgoorlie 33.6% couple families
Kalgoorlie — Couple Families: 33.6% Kalgoorlie — Lone Person: 46.9% Kalgoorlie — One Parent Families: 11.3% Kalgoorlie — Group Household: 6.4% Kalgoorlie — Other Families: 1.8%
Somerville 57.6% couple families
Somerville — Couple Families: 57.6% Somerville — Lone Person: 28.8% Somerville — One Parent Families: 9.1% Somerville — Group Household: 3.2% Somerville — 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.

Kalgoorlie 47.7% renting
Kalgoorlie — Owned Outright: 18.7% Kalgoorlie — Mortgage: 33.6% Kalgoorlie — Renting: 47.7%
Somerville 38.1% renting
Somerville — Owned Outright: 16.1% Somerville — Mortgage: 45.8% Somerville — Renting: 38.1%
Owned outright Mortgage Renting

Qualifications

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

Kalgoorlie Somerville
Certificate III & IV 16.6% / 18.3%
Kalgoorlie — Certificate III & IV: 16.6% Somerville — Certificate III & IV: 18.3%
Bachelor Degree 10.2% / 9.3%
Kalgoorlie — Bachelor Degree: 10.2% Somerville — Bachelor Degree: 9.3%
Advanced Diploma / Diploma 5.2% / 5.5%
Kalgoorlie — Advanced Diploma / Diploma: 5.2% Somerville — Advanced Diploma / Diploma: 5.5%
Postgraduate Degree 3.1% / 3.1%
Kalgoorlie — Postgraduate Degree: 3.1% Somerville — Postgraduate Degree: 3.1%
Graduate Diploma / Certificate 1.1% / 1.2%
Kalgoorlie — Graduate Diploma / Certificate: 1.1% Somerville — Graduate Diploma / Certificate: 1.2%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (18.3%).

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.

Kalgoorlie Somerville
New Zealand 6.4% / 6.7%
Kalgoorlie — New Zealand: 6.4% Somerville — New Zealand: 6.7%
Philippines 4.6% / 1.4%
Kalgoorlie — Philippines: 4.6% Somerville — Philippines: 1.4%
India 2.9% / 2.0%
Kalgoorlie — India: 2.9% Somerville — India: 2.0%
South Africa 1.8% / 2.7%
Kalgoorlie — South Africa: 1.8% Somerville — South Africa: 2.7%
England 2.2% / 1.9%
Kalgoorlie — England: 2.2% Somerville — England: 1.9%
Zimbabwe 0.8% / 2.5%
Kalgoorlie — Zimbabwe: 0.8% Somerville — Zimbabwe: 2.5%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (6.7%).

What people live in

Occupied private dwellings by structure, 2021 Census.

Kalgoorlie 69.2% houses
Kalgoorlie — Houses: 69.2% Kalgoorlie — Townhouses: 21.7% Kalgoorlie — Flats / Apartments: 9.1%
Somerville 72.2% houses
Somerville — Houses: 72.2% Somerville — Townhouses: 21.4% Somerville — Flats / Apartments: 6.4%
Houses Townhouses Flats / Apartments

Property market

Kalgoorlie Somerville
Median house price $455,000 $590,000
Median unit price $395,000 $390,000
Median land price — $275,000
Typical days to sell (houses) 41 days
from 36 sales
 34 days
from 45 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.

Kalgoorlie Somerville
2 bed $364K / $360K
Kalgoorlie — 2 bed: $364K (11 sales) Somerville — 2 bed: $360K (15 sales)

11 vs 15 sales

3 bed $460K / $488K
Kalgoorlie — 3 bed: $460K (15 sales) Somerville — 3 bed: $488K (8 sales)

15 vs 8 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.

Kalgoorlie Somerville
2 bed $280K / $360K
Kalgoorlie — 2 bed: $280K (15 sales) Somerville — 2 bed: $360K (11 sales)

15 vs 11 sales

3 bed $425K / $473K
Kalgoorlie — 3 bed: $425K (58 sales) Somerville — 3 bed: $473K (34 sales)

58 vs 34 sales

4 bed $525K / $742K
Kalgoorlie — 4 bed: $525K (33 sales) Somerville — 4 bed: $742K (59 sales)

33 vs 59 sales

Development activity

Kalgoorlie Somerville
New dwellings approved 48
across Kalgoorlie-Boulder
same for both
Approvals change year on year -8%
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.

Kalgoorlie Somerville
Houses 7.1%
$660/wk on $485K
 6.3%
$850/wk on $699K
Units — 6.7%
$665/wk on $518K

Ranking within WA

Kalgoorlie Somerville
House price —
same for both
Income Higher than 74% of WA Higher than 96% of WA
Schools Higher than 49% of WA Higher than 23% of WA
Walkability Higher than 98% of WA Higher than 85% of WA
Affordability —
same for both
EV adoption Higher than 14% of WA Higher than 15% of WA
NBN connectivity Higher than 72% of WA Higher than 71% of WA
Rental yield (houses) Higher than 94% of WA Higher than 92% of WA
Rental yield (units) — Higher than 89% of WA

Liveability

Kalgoorlie is more walkable (88 vs 58); Kalgoorlie scores higher overall (49 vs 39).

Kalgoorlie Somerville
Grade B C
Score 49/100 39/100
Socio-economic band mid-range socio-economic
decile 5/10
 very advantaged area
decile 9/10

Risk profile

Somerville carries more flood risk (61 vs 30); Kalgoorlie carries more crime risk (96 vs 76).

Kalgoorlie Somerville
Bushfire None
0/100
same for both
Crime High
96/100
 High
76/100
Flood Low
30/100
 Moderate
61/100
Coastal erosion None
0/100
same for both
Aircraft noise None
0/100
same for both
Industrial facilities nearby 12
within 5 km
 11
within 5 km

Schools

Kalgoorlie Somerville
Inside the suburb 4 3
Rated above peers 1 0
Rated at peers 1 0
Rated below peers 1 2

Schools in Kalgoorlie

  • John Paul College Catholic · Secondary above peers
  • Kalgoorlie Primary School Government · Primary at peers
  • St Mary's Primary School Catholic · Primary below peers
  • Eastern Goldfields College Government · Secondary

Schools in Somerville

  • Goldfields Baptist College Independent · Combined below peers
  • O'Connor Primary School Government · Primary below peers
  • O'Connor Education Support Centre Government · Primary · Special school

Amenities in the suburb

Kalgoorlie Somerville
Supermarkets 2 1
Cafes & restaurants 11 0
Parks & reserves 2 4
Childcare 5 1
GPs 6 0
Pharmacies 4 0
Police stations 1 0
Banks & Bank@Post 5 0
Fuel stations 4 1
EV chargers 3 1

Mobility

Kalgoorlie Somerville
Walkability score 88/100 58/100
Distance to Perth 593.4 km 591.6 km
Drive time (normal traffic) 401 min 399 min
Public transport score 69/100
Rail · Bus
 45/100
Bus
Peak arrivals per hour 29.5
7-9am + 5-7pm
 15.0
7-9am + 5-7pm
Median peak wait 1 min
scheduled, not actual
same for both
Electric vehicle share 0.2%
postcode 6430
same for both
Rooftop solar per 100 dwellings 29
postcode 6430
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.

Kalgoorlie Somerville
Car (driver) 76.0% / 81.3%
Kalgoorlie — Car (driver): 76.0% Somerville — Car (driver): 81.3%
Car (passenger) 9.1% / 8.7%
Kalgoorlie — Car (passenger): 9.1% Somerville — Car (passenger): 8.7%
Walked Only 8.3% / 2.3%
Kalgoorlie — Walked Only: 8.3% Somerville — Walked Only: 2.3%
Worked from Home 2.9% / 3.9%
Kalgoorlie — Worked from Home: 2.9% Somerville — Worked from Home: 3.9%
Bus 2.9% / 3.0%
Kalgoorlie — Bus: 2.9% Somerville — Bus: 3.0%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (81.3%).

Setting

Kalgoorlie Somerville
Elevation 373 m
above sea level, at the suburb centre
 360 m
above sea level, at the suburb centre

NBN connectivity

Kalgoorlie Somerville
Connectivity score 56/100 50/100
Most common technology Fibre to the node
same for both
Full-fibre (FTTP) share 21%
2,843 premises
 9%
1,722 premises

Climate

Kalgoorlie Somerville
Annual rainfall 261 mm
same for both
Summer max (Jan) 33.2°C
same for both
Winter min (Jul) 6.6°C
same for both

Council rates

Kalgoorlie Somerville
Average residential rate $2,625/yr
same for both
Council Kalgoorlie-Boulder
same for both

Federal electorate

Kalgoorlie Somerville
Division O'connor
same for both
Member Rick Wilson
same for both
Party Liberal
same for both

First Home Owner Grant

Kalgoorlie Somerville
Grant amount $10,000
same for both
Property price cap $800,000
same for both
Eligibility New
same for both

Tags

Kalgoorlie

Affordable Townhouses

Somerville

Affordable Family Townhouses

More comparisons

Other comparisons with Kalgoorlie

Kalgoorlie vs South Kalgoorlie Kalgoorlie vs Piccadilly Kalgoorlie vs West Lamington Kalgoorlie vs Mullingar Kalgoorlie vs Williamstown

Other comparisons with Somerville

Somerville vs South Kalgoorlie Somerville vs West Lamington Somerville vs Victory Heights Somerville vs Broadwood Somerville vs Karlkurla
Full data on Kalgoorlie Full data on Somerville
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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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