Mawson vs Pearce

Mawson is the younger of the two, with a median age of 38 against 43 in Pearce. In both, most households own their home. In Pearce, most homes are detached houses.

Mawson and Pearce are both affluent ACT suburbs, but they suit different priorities. Pearce has higher median household income ($122,824 vs $114,608) and a notably higher liveability score of 67 compared to Mawson's 44, though Mawson scores better on walkability at 86 versus 72. If you're considering units, Mawson is significantly more affordable at $403,000 versus $815,000 in Pearce; however, Pearce has lower crime risk (41 vs 73) and no flood risk, whereas Mawson records 40 on the flood risk scale. Mawson may appeal to those prioritising walkability and unit affordability, while Pearce suits buyers seeking a more established, lower-risk neighbourhood with higher incomes.

Written by an AI language model from the figures below. Every number in it is checked against those figures before it is published.

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

Pearce

ahead on 2 of the 6 things we measure here

  • has more schools rated above their peers (1 vs 0)
  • carries lower crime risk (42/100 vs 74/100)
  • But Mawson has more childcare (6 vs 3)

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

First-home buyers

Mawson

ahead on the one thing that separates them

  • has cheaper units ($394,000 vs $812,500)

Weighs house prices, unit prices, and mortgage stress.

Renters

Mawson

ahead on the one thing that separates them

  • has a bigger rental market to choose from (36% vs 26%)

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

Commuting to the city

Mawson

ahead on the one thing that separates them

  • is more walkable (86/100 vs 72/100)

Weighs distance, drive time, and walkability.

Downsizers and retirees

Mawson

ahead on 2 of the 5 things we measure here

  • has more GPs (3 vs 0)
  • is more walkable (86/100 vs 72/100)
  • But Pearce carries lower crime risk (42/100 vs 74/100)

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

Investors

Mawson

ahead on the one thing that separates them

  • returns a higher gross yield on houses (4.4% vs 3.6%)

Weighs house yield and population growth.

Where they sit

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

Mawson Pearce
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.

Mawson Pearce
Walkability 86 / 72
Mawson — Walkability: 86/100 Pearce — Walkability: 72/100
Safety 26 / 58
Mawson — Safety: 26/100 Pearce — Safety: 58/100
Low fire risk 10 / 1
Mawson — Low fire risk: 10/100 Pearce — Low fire risk: 1/100
Low flood risk 62 / 100
Mawson — Low flood risk: 62/100 Pearce — Low flood risk: 100/100

Demographics

Mawson has more residents (3,440 vs 2,687); Pearce skews older (43 vs 38).

Mawson Pearce
Population 3,440
+22% vs other
 2,687
Population trend (2016 → 2021) +5.8% +4.2%
Median age 38 43
Median household income $114,608/yr $122,824/yr
+7% vs other
Median weekly rent $400/wk $430/wk
+8% vs other

Age profile

Share of residents in each band, 2021 Census.

Mawson Pearce
0-4 5.2% / 4.4%
Mawson — 0-4: 5.2% Pearce — 0-4: 4.4%
5-14 12.6% / 12.8%
Mawson — 5-14: 12.6% Pearce — 5-14: 12.8%
15-19 4.7% / 6.3%
Mawson — 15-19: 4.7% Pearce — 15-19: 6.3%
20-24 5.2% / 6.1%
Mawson — 20-24: 5.2% Pearce — 20-24: 6.1%
25-34 16.6% / 10.0%
Mawson — 25-34: 16.6% Pearce — 25-34: 10.0%
35-44 15.0% / 11.9%
Mawson — 35-44: 15.0% Pearce — 35-44: 11.9%
45-54 11.5% / 14.6%
Mawson — 45-54: 11.5% Pearce — 45-54: 14.6%
55-64 11.5% / 12.8%
Mawson — 55-64: 11.5% Pearce — 55-64: 12.8%
65-74 8.5% / 9.9%
Mawson — 65-74: 8.5% Pearce — 65-74: 9.9%
75-84 7.1% / 8.3%
Mawson — 75-84: 7.1% Pearce — 75-84: 8.3%
85+ 2.2% / 2.5%
Mawson — 85+: 2.2% Pearce — 85+: 2.5%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (16.6%).

Who lives together

Household composition, 2021 Census.

Mawson 41.1% lone person
Mawson — Lone Person: 41.1% Mawson — Couple Families: 38.6% Mawson — One Parent Families: 13.1% Mawson — Group Household: 5.1% Mawson — Other Families: 2.0%
Pearce 40.5% lone person
Pearce — Lone Person: 40.5% Pearce — Couple Families: 42.9% Pearce — One Parent Families: 12.1% Pearce — Group Household: 3.3% Pearce — Other Families: 1.3%
Lone Person Couple Families One Parent Families Group Household Other Families

Who owns and who rents

Occupied private dwellings by tenure, 2021 Census.

Mawson 36.3% renting
Mawson — Owned Outright: 33.0% Mawson — Mortgage: 30.7% Mawson — Renting: 36.3%
Pearce 25.7% renting
Pearce — Owned Outright: 38.4% Pearce — Mortgage: 35.9% Pearce — Renting: 25.7%
Owned outright Mortgage Renting

Qualifications

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

Mawson Pearce
Bachelor Degree 23.7% / 21.7%
Mawson — Bachelor Degree: 23.7% Pearce — Bachelor Degree: 21.7%
Postgraduate Degree 12.2% / 11.7%
Mawson — Postgraduate Degree: 12.2% Pearce — Postgraduate Degree: 11.7%
Advanced Diploma / Diploma 8.7% / 8.7%
Mawson — Advanced Diploma / Diploma: 8.7% Pearce — Advanced Diploma / Diploma: 8.7%
Certificate III & IV 7.4% / 7.7%
Mawson — Certificate III & IV: 7.4% Pearce — Certificate III & IV: 7.7%
Graduate Diploma / Certificate 4.4% / 4.8%
Mawson — Graduate Diploma / Certificate: 4.4% Pearce — Graduate Diploma / Certificate: 4.8%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (23.7%).

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.

Mawson Pearce
India 4.7% / 2.6%
Mawson — India: 4.7% Pearce — India: 2.6%
England 2.7% / 3.8%
Mawson — England: 2.7% Pearce — England: 3.8%
Nepal 4.2% / 1.2%
Mawson — Nepal: 4.2% Pearce — Nepal: 1.2%
Philippines 2.2% / 0.9%
Mawson — Philippines: 2.2% Pearce — Philippines: 0.9%
China 1.7% / 0.9%
Mawson — China: 1.7% Pearce — China: 0.9%
New Zealand 0.9% / 1.4%
Mawson — New Zealand: 0.9% Pearce — New Zealand: 1.4%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (4.7%).

What people live in

Occupied private dwellings by structure, 2021 Census.

Mawson 54.2% houses
Mawson — Houses: 54.2% Mawson — Townhouses: 26.3% Mawson — Flats / Apartments: 19.6%
Pearce 63.2% houses
Pearce — Houses: 63.2% Pearce — Townhouses: 32.5% Pearce — Flats / Apartments: 4.3%
Houses Townhouses Flats / Apartments

Property market

Mawson Pearce
Median house price $1,200,000 $1,295,000
Median unit price $394,000 $812,500
Median land price —
same for both
Typical days to sell (houses) 23 days
from 34 sales
 38 days
from 18 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.

Mawson Pearce
3 bed $1.1M / $1.17M
Mawson — 3 bed: $1.1M (23 sales) Pearce — 3 bed: $1.17M (22 sales)

23 vs 22 sales

4 bed $1.35M / $1.34M
Mawson — 4 bed: $1.35M (15 sales) Pearce — 4 bed: $1.34M (25 sales)

15 vs 25 sales

5 bed $1.5M / $1.65M
Mawson — 5 bed: $1.5M (6 sales) Pearce — 5 bed: $1.65M (6 sales)

6 vs 6 sales

Development activity

Mawson Pearce
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.

Mawson Pearce
Houses 4.4%
$875/wk on $1.03M
 3.6%
$750/wk on $1.09M
Units 6.4%
$470/wk on $379K
 —

Ranking within ACT

Mawson Pearce
House price —
same for both
Income Higher than 22% of ACT Higher than 50% of ACT
Schools — Higher than 82% of ACT
Walkability Higher than 95% of ACT Higher than 71% of ACT
Affordability —
same for both
EV adoption Higher than 40% of ACT Higher than 43% of ACT
NBN connectivity Higher than 25% of ACT Higher than 16% of ACT
Rental yield (houses) Higher than 61% of ACT Higher than 17% of ACT
Rental yield (units) Higher than 73% of ACT —

Liveability

Pearce scores higher overall (58 vs 41); Mawson is more walkable (86 vs 72).

Mawson Pearce
Grade C B
Score 41/100 58/100
Socio-economic band very advantaged area
decile 10/10
same for both

Risk profile

Mawson carries more flood risk (38 vs 0); Mawson carries more crime risk (74 vs 42).

Mawson Pearce
Bushfire High
90/100
 High
99/100
Crime High
74/100
 Moderate
42/100
Flood Low
38/100
 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 4
within 5 km
 3
within 5 km

Schools

Mawson Pearce
Inside the suburb 2 3
Rated above peers 0 1
Rated at peers 2 1
Rated below peers 0
same for both
Universities within 10 km 1
UNSW Canberra, 7.3 km
 1
UNSW Canberra, 8.0 km
Full-time students aged 15–24 1.9% 2.5%

Schools in Mawson

  • Canberra Christian School Independent · Primary at peers
  • Mawson Primary School Government · Primary at peers

Schools in Pearce

  • Sacred Heart Primary School Catholic · Primary above peers
  • Melrose High School Government · Secondary at peers
  • Marist College Canberra Independent · Combined

Amenities in the suburb

Mawson Pearce
Supermarkets 3 1
Cafes & restaurants 18 3
Parks & reserves 2
same for both
Childcare 6 3
GPs 3 0
Pharmacies 1 0
Banks & Bank@Post 2 0
Fuel stations 2 0
EV chargers 1 0

Mobility

Mawson Pearce
Walkability score 86/100 72/100
Distance to Canberra 15.2 km
+9% vs other
 13.9 km
Drive time (normal traffic) 22 min 21 min
Public transport score 78/100
Bus
 74/100
Bus
Peak arrivals per hour 35.0
7-9am + 5-7pm
 26.0
7-9am + 5-7pm
Median peak wait 1 min
scheduled, not actual
same for both
Electric vehicle share 2.7%
postcode 2607
same for both
Rooftop solar per 100 dwellings 38
postcode 2607
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.

Mawson Pearce
Car (driver) 71.4% / 69.6%
Mawson — Car (driver): 71.4% Pearce — Car (driver): 69.6%
Worked from Home 10.4% / 14.3%
Mawson — Worked from Home: 10.4% Pearce — Worked from Home: 14.3%
Bus 7.6% / 5.7%
Mawson — Bus: 7.6% Pearce — Bus: 5.7%
Car (passenger) 6.7% / 6.2%
Mawson — Car (passenger): 6.7% Pearce — Car (passenger): 6.2%
Walked Only 2.3% / 2.7%
Mawson — Walked Only: 2.3% Pearce — Walked Only: 2.7%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (71.4%).

Setting

Mawson Pearce
Elevation 641 m
above sea level, at the suburb centre
 630 m
above sea level, at the suburb centre

NBN connectivity

Mawson Pearce
Connectivity score 46/100 45/100
Most common technology Fibre to the node
same for both
Full-fibre (FTTP) share 2%
1,718 premises
 1%
1,246 premises

Climate

Mawson Pearce
Annual rainfall 686 mm
same for both
Summer max (Jan) 28.2°C
same for both
Winter min (Jul) 0.9°C
same for both

Air quality (annual mean)

Mawson Pearce
PM2.5 7.3 µg/m³
same for both
PM10 11.9 µg/m³
same for both
NO₂ 0.32 pphm
same for both

Council rates

Mawson Pearce
Average residential rate $3,105/yr
same for both
Council Unincorporated ACT
same for both

Federal electorate

Mawson Pearce
Division Bean
same for both
Member David Smith
same for both
Party Australian Labor Party
same for both

First Home Owner Grant

Mawson Pearce
Grant amount Not offered
same for both
Property price cap —
same for both
Eligibility None
same for both

Tags

Mawson

Middle-Ring Townhouses Village Feel

Pearce

Middle-Ring Professionals Quiet Townhouses

More comparisons

Other comparisons with Mawson

Mawson vs Phillip Mawson vs Farrer Mawson vs Torrens Mawson vs Isaacs Mawson vs O'Malley

Other comparisons with Pearce

Pearce vs Phillip Pearce vs Chifley Pearce vs Torrens
Full data on Mawson Full data on Pearce
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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