Milton vs Paddington

Milton is the younger of the two, with a median age of 30 against 34 in Paddington. In Milton, most households rent, the large majority of homes are flats or apartments, and most households are people living alone. In Paddington, most households own their home and most homes are detached houses. Milton is closer to the city centre: 2.5 km, against 4 km. On these figures, Milton 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

Paddington

ahead on 3 of the 6 things we measure here

  • has more separate houses rather than flats (66% vs 21%)
  • is already more of a family suburb (48% vs 24%)
  • carries lower crime risk (55/100 vs 91/100)
  • But Milton has more schools inside the suburb (3 vs 1)

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

Milton

ahead on 2 of the 3 things we measure here

  • has a bigger rental market to choose from (70% vs 44%)
  • has cheaper rent ($435/wk vs $470/wk)

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

Commuting to the city

Milton

ahead on 2 of the 4 things we measure here

  • gets more of its commuters onto trains and trams (13% vs 1%)
  • is more walkable (99/100 vs 90/100)

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

Downsizers and retirees

They split

one each way, out of the 5 things we measure here

  • Milton has more units and townhouses to downsize into (79% vs 34%)
  • Paddington has more GPs (3 vs 1)

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

Investors

Milton

ahead on 2 of the 2 things we measure here

  • is growing faster (38.3% vs 5.9%)
  • returns a higher gross yield on units (4.7% vs 3.3%)

Weighs unit yield and population growth.

Where they sit

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

Milton Paddington
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.

Milton Paddington
Walkability 99 / 90
Milton — Walkability: 99/100 Paddington — Walkability: 90/100
Safety 9 / 45
Milton — Safety: 9/100 Paddington — Safety: 45/100
Low fire risk 100 / 100
Milton — Low fire risk: 100/100 Paddington — Low fire risk: 100/100

Demographics

Paddington has more residents (9,063 vs 3,144); Paddington has higher household incomes ($144,300 vs $108,524).

Milton Paddington
Population 3,144 9,063
+188% vs other
Population trend (2016 → 2021) +38.3% +5.9%
Median age 30 34
Median household income $108,524/yr $144,300/yr
+33% vs other
Median weekly rent $435/wk $470/wk
+8% vs other

Age profile

Share of residents in each band, 2021 Census.

Milton Paddington
0-4 3.6% / 5.3%
Milton — 0-4: 3.6% Paddington — 0-4: 5.3%
5-14 4.9% / 11.0%
Milton — 5-14: 4.9% Paddington — 5-14: 11.0%
15-19 3.7% / 5.3%
Milton — 15-19: 3.7% Paddington — 15-19: 5.3%
20-24 16.0% / 9.9%
Milton — 20-24: 16.0% Paddington — 20-24: 9.9%
25-34 33.4% / 19.1%
Milton — 25-34: 33.4% Paddington — 25-34: 19.1%
35-44 16.0% / 14.4%
Milton — 35-44: 16.0% Paddington — 35-44: 14.4%
45-54 9.8% / 14.4%
Milton — 45-54: 9.8% Paddington — 45-54: 14.4%
55-64 7.1% / 10.3%
Milton — 55-64: 7.1% Paddington — 55-64: 10.3%
65-74 4.0% / 6.5%
Milton — 65-74: 4.0% Paddington — 65-74: 6.5%
75-84 1.5% / 2.8%
Milton — 75-84: 1.5% Paddington — 75-84: 2.8%
85+ 0.3% / 1.0%
Milton — 85+: 0.3% Paddington — 85+: 1.0%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (33.4%).

Who lives together

Household composition, 2021 Census.

Milton 55.6% lone person
Milton — Lone Person: 55.6% Milton — Couple Families: 18.1% Milton — Group Household: 17.6% Milton — One Parent Families: 5.5% Milton — Other Families: 3.2%
Paddington 36.1% lone person
Paddington — Lone Person: 36.1% Paddington — Couple Families: 38.1% Paddington — Group Household: 13.9% Paddington — One Parent Families: 9.8% Paddington — 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.

Milton 69.9% renting
Milton — Owned Outright: 12.3% Milton — Mortgage: 17.9% Milton — Renting: 69.9%
Paddington 43.5% renting
Paddington — Owned Outright: 25.5% Paddington — Mortgage: 31.0% Paddington — Renting: 43.5%
Owned outright Mortgage Renting

Qualifications

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

Milton Paddington
Bachelor Degree 33.8% / 29.6%
Milton — Bachelor Degree: 33.8% Paddington — Bachelor Degree: 29.6%
Postgraduate Degree 12.5% / 11.2%
Milton — Postgraduate Degree: 12.5% Paddington — Postgraduate Degree: 11.2%
Advanced Diploma / Diploma 7.8% / 6.9%
Milton — Advanced Diploma / Diploma: 7.8% Paddington — Advanced Diploma / Diploma: 6.9%
Certificate III & IV 7.7% / 6.1%
Milton — Certificate III & IV: 7.7% Paddington — Certificate III & IV: 6.1%
Graduate Diploma / Certificate 3.3% / 4.2%
Milton — Graduate Diploma / Certificate: 3.3% Paddington — Graduate Diploma / Certificate: 4.2%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (33.8%).

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.

Milton Paddington
England 3.7% / 4.3%
Milton — England: 3.7% Paddington — England: 4.3%
New Zealand 2.5% / 2.7%
Milton — New Zealand: 2.5% Paddington — New Zealand: 2.7%
China 3.3% / 0.6%
Milton — China: 3.3% Paddington — China: 0.6%
India 2.4% / —
Milton — India: 2.4% Paddington — India: not among its largest
South Africa 1.1% / 1.0%
Milton — South Africa: 1.1% Paddington — South Africa: 1.0%
Brazil 1.1% / —
Milton — Brazil: 1.1% Paddington — Brazil: not among its largest
Italy — / 0.6%
Milton — Italy: not among its largest Paddington — Italy: 0.6%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (4.3%).

What people live in

Occupied private dwellings by structure, 2021 Census.

Milton 76.9% flats / apartments
Milton — Flats / Apartments: 76.9% Milton — Houses: 21.0% Milton — Townhouses: 2.0%
Paddington 22.4% flats / apartments
Paddington — Flats / Apartments: 22.4% Paddington — Houses: 66.2% Paddington — Townhouses: 11.5%
Flats / Apartments Houses Townhouses

Property market

Milton Paddington
Median house price $2,000,000 $2,100,000
Median unit price $785,000 $821,000
Median land price —
same for both
Typical days to sell (houses) 28 days
from 20 sales
 30 days
from 140 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.

Milton Paddington
2 bed $1.54M / $1.41M
Milton — 2 bed: $1.54M (5 sales) Paddington — 2 bed: $1.41M (23 sales)

5 vs 23 sales

3 bed $2.03M / $1.91M
Milton — 3 bed: $2.03M (12 sales) Paddington — 3 bed: $1.91M (62 sales)

12 vs 62 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.

Milton Paddington
1 bed $600K / $596K
Milton — 1 bed: $600K (24 sales) Paddington — 1 bed: $596K (11 sales)

24 vs 11 sales

2 bed $818K / $860K
Milton — 2 bed: $818K (56 sales) Paddington — 2 bed: $860K (32 sales)

56 vs 32 sales

3 bed $1.5M / $1.27M
Milton — 3 bed: $1.5M (9 sales) Paddington — 3 bed: $1.27M (8 sales)

9 vs 8 sales

Development activity

Milton Paddington
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.

Milton Paddington
Houses — 2.0%
$872/wk on $2.31M
Units 4.7%
$720/wk on $800K
 3.3%
$580/wk on $925K

Ranking within QLD

Milton Paddington
House price —
same for both
Income Higher than 81% of QLD Higher than 96% of QLD
Schools Higher than 17% of QLD —
Walkability Higher than 100% of QLD Higher than 98% of QLD
Affordability —
same for both
EV adoption Higher than 97% of QLD
same for both
NBN connectivity Higher than 91% of QLD Higher than 83% of QLD
Rental yield (houses) — Higher than 2% of QLD
Rental yield (units) Higher than 61% of QLD Higher than 7% of QLD

Liveability

Paddington scores higher overall (88 vs 60); Milton is more walkable (99 vs 90).

Milton Paddington
Grade B A+
Score 60/100 88/100
Socio-economic band very advantaged area
decile 10/10
same for both

Risk profile

Milton carries more crime risk (91 vs 55).

Milton Paddington
Bushfire None
0/100
same for both
Crime High
91/100
 Moderate
55/100
Flood —
same for both
Coastal erosion None
0/100
same for both
Aircraft noise None
0/100
same for both
Industrial facilities nearby 9
within 5 km
 7
within 5 km

Schools

Milton Paddington
Inside the suburb 3 1
Rated above peers 0
same for both
Rated at peers 0
same for both
Rated below peers 1
same for both
Universities within 10 km 3
Brisbane City, 1.8 km
 3
Kelvin Grove, 1.9 km
Full-time students aged 15–24 7.2% 5.1%

Schools in Milton

  • Milton State School Government · Primary below peers
  • Hubbard's School Independent · Secondary
  • Hubbard's School Independent · Secondary

Schools in Paddington

  • Petrie Terrace State School Government · Primary below peers

Amenities in the suburb

Milton Paddington
Supermarkets 0 2
Cafes & restaurants 28 48
Parks & reserves 8 9
Childcare 4 5
GPs 1 3
Pharmacies 1 2
Banks & Bank@Post 1
same for both
Fuel stations 2 0
Waterways 7 0

Mobility

Milton Paddington
Walkability score 99/100 90/100
Distance to Brisbane 2.5 km 4 km
+60% vs other
Drive time (normal traffic) 6 min 10 min
Public transport score 94/100
Rail · Bus
 79/100
Bus
Peak arrivals per hour 210.2
7-9am + 5-7pm
 183.5
7-9am + 5-7pm
Median peak wait 0 min
scheduled, not actual
same for both
Electric vehicle share 2.6%
postcode 4064
same for both
Rooftop solar per 100 dwellings 29
postcode 4064
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.

Milton Paddington
Car (driver) 38.5% / 45.6%
Milton — Car (driver): 38.5% Paddington — Car (driver): 45.6%
Worked from Home 27.2% / 33.6%
Milton — Worked from Home: 27.2% Paddington — Worked from Home: 33.6%
Walked Only 11.5% / 6.1%
Milton — Walked Only: 11.5% Paddington — Walked Only: 6.1%
Train 13.0% / 1.3%
Milton — Train: 13.0% Paddington — Train: 1.3%
Bus 3.6% / 7.4%
Milton — Bus: 3.6% Paddington — Bus: 7.4%
Car (passenger) 3.6% / 3.2%
Milton — Car (passenger): 3.6% Paddington — Car (passenger): 3.2%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (45.6%).

Setting

Milton Paddington
Elevation 21 m
above sea level, at the suburb centre
same for both
Distance to the ocean 12.2 km 12.6 km

NBN connectivity

Milton Paddington
Connectivity score 80/100 74/100
Most common technology Fibre to the premises Hybrid fibre-coaxial
Full-fibre (FTTP) share 32%
3,194 premises
 2%
4,505 premises

Climate

Milton Paddington
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)

Milton Paddington
PM2.5 5.4 µg/m³
same for both
PM10 14.7 µg/m³
same for both
NO₂ —
same for both

Council rates

Milton Paddington
Average residential rate $1,519/yr
same for both
Council Brisbane
same for both

Federal electorate

Milton Paddington
Division Brisbane
same for both
Member Madonna Jarrett
same for both
Party Australian Labor Party
same for both

First Home Owner Grant

Milton Paddington
Grant amount $30,000
same for both
Property price cap $750,000
same for both
Eligibility New
same for both

Tags

Milton

Apartments Easy Commute Inner Parks Professionals River Transport Hub

Paddington

Inner Luxury Parks Professionals Urban

More comparisons

Other comparisons with Milton

Milton vs West End Milton vs South Brisbane Milton vs Brisbane City Milton vs Auchenflower Milton vs Petrie Terrace

Other comparisons with Paddington

Paddington vs Bardon Paddington vs Auchenflower Paddington vs Red Hill Paddington vs Petrie Terrace
Full data on Milton Full data on Paddington
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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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