Narraweena vs Brookvale

Brookvale is the younger of the two, with a median age of 37 against 43 in Narraweena. In Narraweena, most households own their home, most homes are detached houses, and about half of households are couple families. In Brookvale, about half of households rent and most homes are flats or apartments. Brookvale is closer to the city centre: 16.6 km, against 21.5 km. On these figures, Narraweena tends to suit families with children, couples, and older residents, while Brookvale suits 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

Narraweena

ahead on 5 of the 6 things we measure here

  • has more separate houses rather than flats (73% vs 18%)
  • has more parks and reserves (7 vs 2)
  • carries lower crime risk (30/100 vs 95/100)
  • But Brookvale has more childcare (15 vs 6)

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

First-home buyers

Brookvale

ahead on the one thing that separates them

  • leaves households under less mortgage stress (28% vs 36%)

Weighs house prices, unit prices, and mortgage stress.

Renters

Narraweena

ahead on 2 of the 3 things we measure here

  • has cheaper rent ($400/wk vs $550/wk)
  • leaves renters under less rental stress (21% vs 26%)
  • But Brookvale has a bigger rental market to choose from (45% vs 35%)

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

Commuting to the city

Brookvale

ahead on 2 of the 4 things we measure here

  • is more walkable (92/100 vs 71/100)
  • sits closer to the CBD (16.6 km vs 21.5 km)

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

Downsizers and retirees

Brookvale

ahead on 3 of the 5 things we measure here

  • has more GPs (6 vs 1)
  • has more units and townhouses to downsize into (82% vs 27%)
  • is more walkable (92/100 vs 71/100)
  • But Narraweena carries lower crime risk (30/100 vs 95/100)

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

Investors

Too close to call

Nothing among the 1 things we measure here separates them by enough to be worth acting on.

Weighs population growth.

Where they sit

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

Narraweena Brookvale
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.

Narraweena Brookvale
Walkability 71 / 92
Narraweena — Walkability: 71/100 Brookvale — Walkability: 92/100
Safety 70 / 5
Narraweena — Safety: 70/100 Brookvale — Safety: 5/100
Low fire risk 4 / 58
Narraweena — Low fire risk: 4/100 Brookvale — Low fire risk: 58/100

Demographics

Narraweena has more residents (6,971 vs 3,389); Brookvale rents higher ($550/wk vs $400/wk).

Narraweena Brookvale
Population 6,971
+51% vs other
 3,389
Population trend (2016 → 2021) +5.5% +7.2%
Median age 43 37
Median household income $100,620/yr $110,604/yr
+10% vs other
Median weekly rent $400/wk $550/wk
+38% vs other

Age profile

Share of residents in each band, 2021 Census.

Narraweena Brookvale
0-4 6.0% / 6.7%
Narraweena — 0-4: 6.0% Brookvale — 0-4: 6.7%
5-14 13.1% / 7.9%
Narraweena — 5-14: 13.1% Brookvale — 5-14: 7.9%
15-19 5.8% / 3.8%
Narraweena — 15-19: 5.8% Brookvale — 15-19: 3.8%
20-24 5.6% / 6.5%
Narraweena — 20-24: 5.6% Brookvale — 20-24: 6.5%
25-34 9.2% / 21.4%
Narraweena — 25-34: 9.2% Brookvale — 25-34: 21.4%
35-44 12.9% / 18.3%
Narraweena — 35-44: 12.9% Brookvale — 35-44: 18.3%
45-54 14.5% / 12.6%
Narraweena — 45-54: 14.5% Brookvale — 45-54: 12.6%
55-64 12.1% / 11.3%
Narraweena — 55-64: 12.1% Brookvale — 55-64: 11.3%
65-74 9.1% / 6.7%
Narraweena — 65-74: 9.1% Brookvale — 65-74: 6.7%
75-84 7.9% / 2.6%
Narraweena — 75-84: 7.9% Brookvale — 75-84: 2.6%
85+ 3.7% / 2.7%
Narraweena — 85+: 3.7% Brookvale — 85+: 2.7%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (21.4%).

Who lives together

Household composition, 2021 Census.

Narraweena 49.1% couple families
Narraweena — Couple Families: 49.1% Narraweena — Lone Person: 32.2% Narraweena — One Parent Families: 14.7% Narraweena — Group Household: 2.5% Narraweena — Other Families: 1.5%
Brookvale 34.2% couple families
Brookvale — Couple Families: 34.2% Brookvale — Lone Person: 42.9% Brookvale — One Parent Families: 14.5% Brookvale — Group Household: 6.8% Brookvale — Other Families: 1.7%
Couple Families Lone Person One Parent Families Group Household Other Families

Who owns and who rents

Occupied private dwellings by tenure, 2021 Census.

Narraweena 34.6% renting
Narraweena — Owned Outright: 31.7% Narraweena — Mortgage: 33.7% Narraweena — Renting: 34.6%
Brookvale 45.4% renting
Brookvale — Owned Outright: 16.4% Brookvale — Mortgage: 38.2% Brookvale — Renting: 45.4%
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.

Narraweena Brookvale
England 5.9% / 5.9%
Narraweena — England: 5.9% Brookvale — England: 5.9%
China 3.4% / 3.3%
Narraweena — China: 3.4% Brookvale — China: 3.3%
Italy 3.9% / 2.2%
Narraweena — Italy: 3.9% Brookvale — Italy: 2.2%
New Zealand 2.0% / 2.4%
Narraweena — New Zealand: 2.0% Brookvale — New Zealand: 2.4%
Philippines 1.4% / 2.6%
Narraweena — Philippines: 1.4% Brookvale — Philippines: 2.6%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (5.9%).

Qualifications

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

Narraweena Brookvale
Bachelor Degree 14.3% / 19.9%
Narraweena — Bachelor Degree: 14.3% Brookvale — Bachelor Degree: 19.9%
Certificate III & IV 12.8% / 12.9%
Narraweena — Certificate III & IV: 12.8% Brookvale — Certificate III & IV: 12.9%
Advanced Diploma / Diploma 8.3% / 8.8%
Narraweena — Advanced Diploma / Diploma: 8.3% Brookvale — Advanced Diploma / Diploma: 8.8%
Postgraduate Degree 4.4% / 6.1%
Narraweena — Postgraduate Degree: 4.4% Brookvale — Postgraduate Degree: 6.1%
Graduate Diploma / Certificate 1.2% / 2.2%
Narraweena — Graduate Diploma / Certificate: 1.2% Brookvale — Graduate Diploma / Certificate: 2.2%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (19.9%).

What people live in

Occupied private dwellings by structure, 2021 Census.

Narraweena 72.7% houses
Narraweena — Houses: 72.7% Narraweena — Flats / Apartments: 12.2% Narraweena — Townhouses: 15.1%
Brookvale 18.3% houses
Brookvale — Houses: 18.3% Brookvale — Flats / Apartments: 65.5% Brookvale — Townhouses: 16.2%
Houses Flats / Apartments Townhouses

Property market

Narraweena Brookvale
Median house price $2,350,000 $2,302,000
Median unit price $1,017,500 $1,050,000
Median land price —
same for both
Typical days to sell (houses) 20 days
from 28 sales
 23 days
from 4 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.

Narraweena Brookvale
3 bed $2.21M / $2.2M
Narraweena — 3 bed: $2.21M (29 sales) Brookvale — 3 bed: $2.2M (5 sales)

29 vs 5 sales

4 bed $2.41M / $2.37M
Narraweena — 4 bed: $2.41M (16 sales) Brookvale — 4 bed: $2.37M (7 sales)

16 vs 7 sales

Zoning mix

Brookvale has more industrially zoned land (55% vs 0%).

Narraweena Brookvale
Residential 92% 23%
Industrial 0% 55%
Commercial 0% 8%
Parks and recreation 6%
same for both
Environmental 0% 4%
Infrastructure and transport 2% 3%
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

Narraweena Brookvale
New dwellings approved 620
across Northern Beaches
same for both
Approvals change year on year +51%
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.

Narraweena Brookvale
Houses 3.7%
$1,325/wk on $1.85M
 —
Units — 4.3%
$732/wk on $890K

Ranking within NSW

Narraweena Brookvale
House price Higher than 89% of NSW Higher than 88% of NSW
Income Higher than 68% of NSW Higher than 77% of NSW
Schools Higher than 5% of NSW —
Walkability Higher than 88% of NSW Higher than 97% of NSW
Affordability Higher than 10% of NSW Higher than 15% of NSW
EV adoption Higher than 89% of NSW Higher than 93% of NSW
NBN connectivity Higher than 92% of NSW Higher than 68% of NSW
Rental yield (houses) Higher than 59% of NSW —
Rental yield (units) — Higher than 35% of NSW

Liveability

Brookvale scores higher overall (59 vs 44); Brookvale is more walkable (92 vs 71).

Narraweena Brookvale
Grade C B
Score 44/100 59/100
Socio-economic band very advantaged area
decile 9/10
 very advantaged area
decile 10/10

Risk profile

Brookvale carries more crime risk (95 vs 30); Narraweena carries more bushfire risk (96 vs 42).

Narraweena Brookvale
Bushfire High
96/100
 Moderate
42/100
Crime Low
30/100
 High
95/100
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 2
within 5 km
same for both

Schools

Narraweena Brookvale
Inside the suburb 5 2
Rated above peers 0
same for both
Rated at peers 1 2
Rated below peers 1 0
Universities within 10 km None 1
Australian Catholic University-North Sydney Campus, 9.9 km

Schools in Narraweena

  • Narraweena Public School Government · Primary at peers
  • St John the Apostle Catholic Primary School Catholic · Primary below peers
  • Karuna Montessori School Independent · Primary
  • EOC Broken Bay - Narraweena Catholic · Primary · Special school
  • St Lucy's, St John's Narraweena campus Independent · Primary · Special school

Schools in Brookvale

  • Brookvale Public School Government · Primary at peers
  • St Augustine's College Sydney Independent · Combined at peers

Amenities in the suburb

Narraweena Brookvale
Supermarkets 0 3
Cafes & restaurants 4 23
Parks & reserves 7 2
Childcare 6 15
GPs 1 6
Pharmacies 1 6
Banks & Bank@Post 1 6
Fuel stations 0 3
Waterways 2 0

Mobility

Narraweena sits further from the CBD (21.5 km vs 16.6 km).

Narraweena Brookvale
Walkability score 71/100 92/100
Distance to Sydney 21.5 km
+23% vs other
 16.6 km
Drive time (normal traffic) 31 min 28 min
Public transport score 94/100
Bus
same for both
Peak arrivals per hour 226.0
7-9am + 5-7pm
 300.0
7-9am + 5-7pm
Median peak wait 0 min
scheduled, not actual
same for both
Electric vehicle share 1.4%
postcode 2099
 2.0%
postcode 2100
Rooftop solar per 100 dwellings 17
postcode 2099
 33
postcode 2100

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.

Narraweena Brookvale
Car (driver) 47.8% / 42.1%
Narraweena — Car (driver): 47.8% Brookvale — Car (driver): 42.1%
Worked from Home 39.7% / 38.4%
Narraweena — Worked from Home: 39.7% Brookvale — Worked from Home: 38.4%
Walked Only 1.9% / 8.6%
Narraweena — Walked Only: 1.9% Brookvale — Walked Only: 8.6%
Bus 4.4% / 5.8%
Narraweena — Bus: 4.4% Brookvale — Bus: 5.8%
Car (passenger) 5.0% / 3.5%
Narraweena — Car (passenger): 5.0% Brookvale — Car (passenger): 3.5%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (47.8%).

Setting

Narraweena Brookvale
Elevation 78 m
above sea level, at the suburb centre
 26 m
above sea level, at the suburb centre
Distance to the ocean 2.3 km
2.4 km to a named beach
 2.4 km
2.6 km to a named beach

NBN connectivity

Narraweena Brookvale
Connectivity score 85/100 56/100
Most common technology Fibre to the curb Fibre to the node
Full-fibre (FTTP) share 33%
2,660 premises
 7%
4,530 premises

Climate

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

Air quality (annual mean)

Narraweena Brookvale
PM2.5 5.4 µg/m³ 6.3 µg/m³
PM10 14.2 µg/m³ 13.8 µg/m³
NO₂ 0.23 pphm 0.84 pphm

Council rates

Narraweena Brookvale
Average residential rate $1,696/yr
same for both
Council Northern Beaches
same for both

Federal electorate

Narraweena Brookvale
Division Mackellar Warringah
Member Sophie Scamps Zali Steggall
Party Independent
same for both

First Home Owner Grant

Narraweena Brookvale
Grant amount $10,000
same for both
Property price cap $600,000
same for both
Eligibility New
same for both

Tags

Narraweena

Coastal Easy Commute Middle-Ring Parks Premium Transport Hub Urban

Brookvale

Apartments Coastal Easy Commute Middle-Ring Parks Transport Hub

More comparisons

Other comparisons with Narraweena

Narraweena vs Dee Why Narraweena vs Cromer Narraweena vs Beacon Hill Narraweena vs Oxford Falls

Other comparisons with Brookvale

Brookvale vs Dee Why Brookvale vs Beacon Hill Brookvale vs Allambie Heights Brookvale vs North Curl Curl Brookvale vs North Manly Brookvale vs Curl Curl
Full data on Narraweena Full data on Brookvale
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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