Naremburn vs Willoughby

In both, most households own their home and about half of households are couple families. In Willoughby, most homes are detached houses. Houses cost more in Willoughby: a median of $3.6 million, against $3.13 million in Naremburn. Naremburn is closer to the city centre: 7.2 km, against 8.3 km. On these figures, Naremburn tends to suit 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

Willoughby

ahead on 4 of the 6 things we measure here

  • has more schools rated above their peers (1 vs 0)
  • carries lower crime risk (18/100 vs 29/100)
  • has more separate houses rather than flats (56% vs 38%)

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

First-home buyers

They split

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

  • Naremburn has cheaper houses ($3,127,500 vs $3,600,000)
  • Willoughby has cheaper units ($1,070,000 vs $1,277,500)

Weighs house prices, unit prices, and mortgage stress.

Renters

Too close to call

Nothing among the 3 things we measure here separates them by enough to be worth acting on.

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

Commuting to the city

Naremburn

ahead on the one thing that separates them

  • is more walkable (99/100 vs 89/100)

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

Downsizers and retirees

They split

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

  • Naremburn has more units and townhouses to downsize into (62% vs 44%)
  • Willoughby has more GPs (2 vs 0)

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

Investors

Willoughby

ahead on the one thing that separates them

  • is growing faster (8.9% vs 0.7%)

Weighs house yield and population growth.

Where they sit

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

Naremburn Willoughby
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.

Naremburn Willoughby
Walkability 99 / 89
Naremburn — Walkability: 99/100 Willoughby — Walkability: 89/100
Safety 71 / 82
Naremburn — Safety: 71/100 Willoughby — Safety: 82/100
Low fire risk 100 / 100
Naremburn — Low fire risk: 100/100 Willoughby — Low fire risk: 100/100

Demographics

Naremburn Willoughby
Population 5,924 7,124
+20% vs other
Population trend (2016 → 2021) +0.7% +8.9%
Median age 39 40
Median household income $170,144/yr
+8% vs other
 $155,740/yr
Median weekly rent $602/wk
+3% vs other
 $583/wk

Age profile

Share of residents in each band, 2021 Census.

Naremburn Willoughby
0-4 7.7% / 6.1%
Naremburn — 0-4: 7.7% Willoughby — 0-4: 6.1%
5-14 12.3% / 15.0%
Naremburn — 5-14: 12.3% Willoughby — 5-14: 15.0%
15-19 4.1% / 6.5%
Naremburn — 15-19: 4.1% Willoughby — 15-19: 6.5%
20-24 3.5% / 4.2%
Naremburn — 20-24: 3.5% Willoughby — 20-24: 4.2%
25-34 14.3% / 8.7%
Naremburn — 25-34: 14.3% Willoughby — 25-34: 8.7%
35-44 18.9% / 16.5%
Naremburn — 35-44: 18.9% Willoughby — 35-44: 16.5%
45-54 14.4% / 16.2%
Naremburn — 45-54: 14.4% Willoughby — 45-54: 16.2%
55-64 11.4% / 11.2%
Naremburn — 55-64: 11.4% Willoughby — 55-64: 11.2%
65-74 8.6% / 7.7%
Naremburn — 65-74: 8.6% Willoughby — 65-74: 7.7%
75-84 3.6% / 4.9%
Naremburn — 75-84: 3.6% Willoughby — 75-84: 4.9%
85+ 1.3% / 3.1%
Naremburn — 85+: 1.3% Willoughby — 85+: 3.1%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (18.9%).

Who lives together

Household composition, 2021 Census.

Naremburn 46.9% couple families
Naremburn — Couple Families: 46.9% Naremburn — Lone Person: 36.1% Naremburn — One Parent Families: 10.7% Naremburn — Group Household: 4.9% Naremburn — Other Families: 1.3%
Willoughby 52.8% couple families
Willoughby — Couple Families: 52.8% Willoughby — Lone Person: 28.0% Willoughby — One Parent Families: 14.3% Willoughby — Group Household: 3.5% Willoughby — Other Families: 1.4%
Couple Families Lone Person One Parent Families Group Household Other Families

Who owns and who rents

Occupied private dwellings by tenure, 2021 Census.

Naremburn 36.3% renting
Naremburn — Owned Outright: 30.3% Naremburn — Mortgage: 33.4% Naremburn — Renting: 36.3%
Willoughby 31.4% renting
Willoughby — Owned Outright: 33.8% Willoughby — Mortgage: 34.7% Willoughby — Renting: 31.4%
Owned outright Mortgage Renting

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.

Naremburn Willoughby
England 5.7% / 4.4%
Naremburn — England: 5.7% Willoughby — England: 4.4%
China 3.5% / 4.6%
Naremburn — China: 3.5% Willoughby — China: 4.6%
New Zealand 2.1% / 2.0%
Naremburn — New Zealand: 2.1% Willoughby — New Zealand: 2.0%
India 2.1% / 1.2%
Naremburn — India: 2.1% Willoughby — India: 1.2%
South Africa 1.9% / 1.3%
Naremburn — South Africa: 1.9% Willoughby — South Africa: 1.3%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (5.7%).

Qualifications

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

Naremburn Willoughby
Bachelor Degree 29.0% / 24.6%
Naremburn — Bachelor Degree: 29.0% Willoughby — Bachelor Degree: 24.6%
Postgraduate Degree 13.6% / 11.3%
Naremburn — Postgraduate Degree: 13.6% Willoughby — Postgraduate Degree: 11.3%
Advanced Diploma / Diploma 7.6% / 7.1%
Naremburn — Advanced Diploma / Diploma: 7.6% Willoughby — Advanced Diploma / Diploma: 7.1%
Certificate III & IV 4.9% / 5.1%
Naremburn — Certificate III & IV: 4.9% Willoughby — Certificate III & IV: 5.1%
Graduate Diploma / Certificate 3.0% / 2.6%
Naremburn — Graduate Diploma / Certificate: 3.0% Willoughby — Graduate Diploma / Certificate: 2.6%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (29.0%).

What people live in

Occupied private dwellings by structure, 2021 Census.

Naremburn 37.8% houses
Naremburn — Houses: 37.8% Naremburn — Flats / Apartments: 42.7% Naremburn — Townhouses: 19.5%
Willoughby 56.5% houses
Willoughby — Houses: 56.5% Willoughby — Flats / Apartments: 32.9% Willoughby — Townhouses: 10.6%
Houses Flats / Apartments Townhouses

Property market

Naremburn Willoughby
Median house price $3,127,500 $3,600,000
Median unit price $1,277,500 $1,070,000
Median land price —
same for both
Typical days to sell (houses) 21 days
from 21 sales
 22 days
from 68 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.

Naremburn Willoughby
3 bed $3.05M / $3.09M
Naremburn — 3 bed: $3.05M (25 sales) Willoughby — 3 bed: $3.09M (29 sales)

25 vs 29 sales

4 bed $3.6M / $3.91M
Naremburn — 4 bed: $3.6M (19 sales) Willoughby — 4 bed: $3.91M (31 sales)

19 vs 31 sales

5 bed $4.87M / $4.51M
Naremburn — 5 bed: $4.87M (5 sales) Willoughby — 5 bed: $4.51M (17 sales)

5 vs 17 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.

Naremburn Willoughby
1 bed $845K / $650K
Naremburn — 1 bed: $845K (18 sales) Willoughby — 1 bed: $650K (19 sales)

18 vs 19 sales

2 bed $1.34M / $1.08M
Naremburn — 2 bed: $1.34M (35 sales) Willoughby — 2 bed: $1.08M (39 sales)

35 vs 39 sales

3 bed $1.76M / $1.73M
Naremburn — 3 bed: $1.76M (10 sales) Willoughby — 3 bed: $1.73M (11 sales)

10 vs 11 sales

Zoning mix

Naremburn Willoughby
Residential 74% 80%
Infrastructure and transport 8% 10%
Parks and recreation 9% 7%
Environmental 7% 0%
Commercial 2%
same for both
Industrial 0% 1%
Planning zones cover 99% of Naremburn and 100% of Willoughby. The rest is unzoned land such as water or road reserve.
Zoning sets what may be built, not what is there today. A single address can sit in a different zone to the suburb around it. Zones as at 2026-09.

Development activity

Naremburn Willoughby
New dwellings approved 249
across Willoughby
same for both
Approvals change year on year +458%
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.

Naremburn Willoughby
Houses 2.0%
$1,300/wk on $3.3M
 2.2%
$1,500/wk on $3.48M
Units 3.6%
$888/wk on $1.3M
 —

Ranking within NSW

Naremburn Willoughby
House price Higher than 94% of NSW Higher than 96% of NSW
Income Higher than 98% of NSW Higher than 95% of NSW
Schools —
same for both
Walkability Higher than 100% of NSW Higher than 96% of NSW
Affordability Higher than 21% of NSW Higher than 9% of NSW
EV adoption Higher than 99% of NSW
same for both
NBN connectivity Higher than 84% of NSW Higher than 91% of NSW
Rental yield (houses) Higher than 2% of NSW Higher than 3% of NSW
Rental yield (units) Higher than 12% of NSW —

Liveability

Naremburn is more walkable (99 vs 89).

Naremburn Willoughby
Grade A+
same for both
Score 96/100 93/100
Socio-economic band very advantaged area
decile 10/10
same for both

Risk profile

Naremburn carries more crime risk (29 vs 18).

Naremburn Willoughby
Bushfire None
0/100
same for both
Crime Low
29/100
 Low
18/100
Flood Not mapped
no mapped data here
same for both
Coastal erosion None
0/100
same for both
Aircraft noise None
0/100
same for both
Industrial facilities nearby 4
within 5 km
same for both

Schools

Naremburn Willoughby
Inside the suburb 1 2
Rated above peers 0 1
Rated at peers 0 1
Rated below peers 0
same for both
Universities within 10 km 3
Australian Catholic University-North Sydney Campus, 2.3 km
 3
Australian Catholic University-North Sydney Campus, 3.5 km
Full-time students aged 15–24 2.2% 3.3%

Schools in Naremburn

  • Naremburn School Government · Secondary · Special school

Schools in Willoughby

  • Willoughby Girls High School Government · Secondary above peers
  • Willoughby Public School Government · Primary at peers

Amenities in the suburb

Naremburn Willoughby
Cafes & restaurants 0 6
Parks & reserves 5 3
Childcare 4
same for both
GPs 0 2
Pharmacies 0 2
Banks & Bank@Post 0 1
Fuel stations 1 3

Mobility

Naremburn Willoughby
Walkability score 99/100 89/100
Distance to Sydney 7.2 km 8.3 km
+15% vs other
Drive time (normal traffic) 12 min 13 min
Public transport score 79/100
Bus
same for both
Peak arrivals per hour 53.2
7-9am + 5-7pm
 195.2
7-9am + 5-7pm
Median peak wait 1 min
scheduled, not actual
 0 min
scheduled, not actual
Electric vehicle share 3.8%
postcode 2065
 4.5%
postcode 2068
Rooftop solar per 100 dwellings 8
postcode 2065
 28
postcode 2068

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.

Naremburn Willoughby
Worked from Home 68.3% / 64.0%
Naremburn — Worked from Home: 68.3% Willoughby — Worked from Home: 64.0%
Car (driver) 20.1% / 25.4%
Naremburn — Car (driver): 20.1% Willoughby — Car (driver): 25.4%
Walked Only 5.5% / 2.8%
Naremburn — Walked Only: 5.5% Willoughby — Walked Only: 2.8%
Bus 1.5% / 4.1%
Naremburn — Bus: 1.5% Willoughby — Bus: 4.1%
Train 2.5% / 1.3%
Naremburn — Train: 2.5% Willoughby — Train: 1.3%
Car (passenger) 1.7% / 2.0%
Naremburn — Car (passenger): 1.7% Willoughby — Car (passenger): 2.0%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (68.3%).

Setting

Naremburn Willoughby
Elevation 73 m
above sea level, at the suburb centre
 87 m
above sea level, at the suburb centre
Distance to the ocean 4.3 km
3.0 km to a named beach
 4.4 km
2.9 km to a named beach

NBN connectivity

Naremburn Willoughby
Connectivity score 75/100 83/100
Most common technology Hybrid fibre-coaxial
same for both
Full-fibre (FTTP) share 4%
2,733 premises
 32%
3,480 premises

Climate

Naremburn Willoughby
Annual rainfall 1,176 mm
same for both
Summer max (Jan) —
same for both
Winter min (Jul) —
same for both

Air quality (annual mean)

Naremburn Willoughby
PM2.5 6.5 µg/m³
same for both
PM10 15.7 µg/m³
same for both
NO₂ 0.62 pphm
same for both

Council rates

Naremburn Willoughby
Average residential rate $1,275/yr
same for both
Council Willoughby
same for both

Federal electorate

Naremburn Willoughby
Division Bradfield
same for both
Member Nicolette Boele
same for both
Party Independent
same for both

First Home Owner Grant

Naremburn Willoughby
Grant amount $10,000
same for both
Property price cap $600,000
same for both
Eligibility New
same for both

Tags

Naremburn

Apartments Cafe Culture Inner Parks Professionals Urban

Willoughby

Apartments Inner Luxury Parks Professionals Urban

More comparisons

Other comparisons with Naremburn

Naremburn vs Artarmon Naremburn vs St Leonards Naremburn vs Cammeray Naremburn vs Northbridge Naremburn vs Crows Nest

Other comparisons with Willoughby

Willoughby vs Chatswood Willoughby vs Artarmon Willoughby vs Northbridge Willoughby vs North Willoughby Willoughby vs Castlecrag Willoughby vs Willoughby East
Full data on Naremburn Full data on Willoughby
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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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