Narraweena vs Oxford Falls

Narraweena is the younger of the two, with a median age of 43 against 73 in Oxford Falls. In both, most households own their home. In Narraweena, most homes are detached houses and about half of households are couple families. In Oxford Falls, most households are people living alone. Houses cost more in Oxford Falls: a median of $2.82 million, against $2.35 million in Narraweena, and rent is higher there too. On these figures, Narraweena tends to suit families with children, couples, and buyers on a tighter budget, while Oxford Falls suits people living alone and older residents.

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 schools inside the suburb (5 vs 1)
  • has more parks and reserves (7 vs 2)
  • has more childcare (6 vs 2)

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

First-home buyers

Narraweena

ahead on 3 of the 3 things we measure here

  • leaves households under less mortgage stress (36% vs 96%)
  • has cheaper units ($1,017,500 vs $1,300,000)
  • has cheaper houses ($2,350,000 vs $2,818,000)

Weighs house prices, unit prices, and mortgage stress.

Renters

Narraweena

ahead on 3 of the 3 things we measure here

  • has a bigger rental market to choose from (35% vs 9%)
  • leaves renters under less rental stress (21% vs 69%)
  • has cheaper rent ($400/wk vs $660/wk)

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

Commuting to the city

Narraweena

ahead on the one thing that separates them

  • is more walkable (71/100 vs 34/100)

Weighs distance, drive time, and walkability.

Downsizers and retirees

Oxford Falls

ahead on 2 of the 5 things we measure here

  • has more residents already 65 and over (61% vs 21%)
  • has more units and townhouses to downsize into (74% vs 27%)
  • But Narraweena is more walkable (71/100 vs 34/100)

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

Where they sit

Narraweena and Oxford Falls 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 Oxford Falls
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 Oxford Falls
Walkability 71 / 34
Narraweena — Walkability: 71/100 Oxford Falls — Walkability: 34/100
Safety 70 / 77
Narraweena — Safety: 70/100 Oxford Falls — Safety: 77/100
Low fire risk 4 / 8
Narraweena — Low fire risk: 4/100 Oxford Falls — Low fire risk: 8/100

Demographics

Narraweena has more residents (6,971 vs 265); Narraweena has higher household incomes ($100,620 vs $49,972).

Narraweena Oxford Falls
Population 6,971
+96% vs other
 265
Population trend (2016 → 2021) +5.5% —
Median age 43 73
Median household income $100,620/yr
+50% vs other
 $49,972/yr
Median weekly rent $400/wk $660/wk
+65% vs other

Age profile

Share of residents in each band, 2021 Census.

Narraweena Oxford Falls
0-4 6.0% / —
Narraweena — 0-4: 6.0% Oxford Falls — 0-4: not among its largest
5-14 13.1% / 3.8%
Narraweena — 5-14: 13.1% Oxford Falls — 5-14: 3.8%
15-19 5.8% / 2.6%
Narraweena — 15-19: 5.8% Oxford Falls — 15-19: 2.6%
20-24 5.6% / 5.3%
Narraweena — 20-24: 5.6% Oxford Falls — 20-24: 5.3%
25-34 9.2% / 4.9%
Narraweena — 25-34: 9.2% Oxford Falls — 25-34: 4.9%
35-44 12.9% / 4.2%
Narraweena — 35-44: 12.9% Oxford Falls — 35-44: 4.2%
45-54 14.5% / 9.1%
Narraweena — 45-54: 14.5% Oxford Falls — 45-54: 9.1%
55-64 12.1% / 8.7%
Narraweena — 55-64: 12.1% Oxford Falls — 55-64: 8.7%
65-74 9.1% / 14.0%
Narraweena — 65-74: 9.1% Oxford Falls — 65-74: 14.0%
75-84 7.9% / 29.1%
Narraweena — 75-84: 7.9% Oxford Falls — 75-84: 29.1%
85+ 3.7% / 17.7%
Narraweena — 85+: 3.7% Oxford Falls — 85+: 17.7%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (29.1%).

Who lives together

Household composition, 2021 Census.

Narraweena 32.2% lone person
Narraweena — Lone Person: 32.2% Narraweena — Couple Families: 49.1% Narraweena — One Parent Families: 14.7% Narraweena — Group Household: 2.5% Narraweena — Other Families: 1.5%
Oxford Falls 65.8% lone person
Oxford Falls — Lone Person: 65.8% Oxford Falls — Couple Families: 23.3% Oxford Falls — One Parent Families: 6.8% Oxford Falls — Group Household: 4.1% Oxford Falls — Other Families: 0.0%
Lone Person Couple Families 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%
Oxford Falls 9.3% renting
Oxford Falls — Owned Outright: 72.0% Oxford Falls — Mortgage: 18.7% Oxford Falls — Renting: 9.3%
Owned outright Mortgage Renting

Qualifications

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

Narraweena Oxford Falls
Bachelor Degree 14.3% / 14.0%
Narraweena — Bachelor Degree: 14.3% Oxford Falls — Bachelor Degree: 14.0%
Certificate III & IV 12.8% / 11.3%
Narraweena — Certificate III & IV: 12.8% Oxford Falls — Certificate III & IV: 11.3%
Advanced Diploma / Diploma 8.3% / 10.2%
Narraweena — Advanced Diploma / Diploma: 8.3% Oxford Falls — Advanced Diploma / Diploma: 10.2%
Postgraduate Degree 4.4% / 3.0%
Narraweena — Postgraduate Degree: 4.4% Oxford Falls — Postgraduate Degree: 3.0%
Graduate Diploma / Certificate 1.2% / 1.5%
Narraweena — Graduate Diploma / Certificate: 1.2% Oxford Falls — Graduate Diploma / Certificate: 1.5%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (14.3%).

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.

Narraweena Oxford Falls
England 5.9% / 9.4%
Narraweena — England: 5.9% Oxford Falls — England: 9.4%
Italy 3.9% / 2.3%
Narraweena — Italy: 3.9% Oxford Falls — Italy: 2.3%
China 3.4% / —
Narraweena — China: 3.4% Oxford Falls — China: not among its largest
New Zealand 2.0% / 1.1%
Narraweena — New Zealand: 2.0% Oxford Falls — New Zealand: 1.1%
South Africa 0.7% / 1.5%
Narraweena — South Africa: 0.7% Oxford Falls — South Africa: 1.5%
Malaysia — / 1.5%
Narraweena — Malaysia: not among its largest Oxford Falls — Malaysia: 1.5%
Scotland — / 1.5%
Narraweena — Scotland: not among its largest Oxford Falls — Scotland: 1.5%
Philippines 1.4% / —
Narraweena — Philippines: 1.4% Oxford Falls — Philippines: not among its largest

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (9.4%).

What people live in

Occupied private dwellings by structure, 2021 Census.

Narraweena 72.7% houses
Narraweena — Houses: 72.7% Narraweena — Townhouses: 15.1% Narraweena — Flats / Apartments: 12.2%
Oxford Falls 28.6% houses
Oxford Falls — Houses: 28.6% Oxford Falls — Townhouses: 73.9% Oxford Falls — Flats / Apartments: 0.0%
Houses Townhouses Flats / Apartments

Property market

Narraweena Oxford Falls
Median house price $2,350,000 $2,818,000
Median unit price $1,017,500 $1,300,000
Median land price —
same for both
Typical days to sell (houses) 20 days
from 28 sales
 —

Zoning mix

Narraweena Oxford Falls
Residential 92% 0%
Other and special use 0% 83%
Parks and recreation 6% 14%
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 Oxford Falls
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 Oxford Falls
Houses 3.7%
$1,325/wk on $1.85M
 —
Units —
same for both

Ranking within NSW

Narraweena Oxford Falls
House price Higher than 89% of NSW Higher than 93% of NSW
Income Higher than 68% of NSW Higher than 11% of NSW
Schools Higher than 5% of NSW —
Walkability Higher than 88% of NSW Higher than 76% of NSW
Affordability Higher than 10% of NSW Higher than 1% of NSW
EV adoption Higher than 89% of NSW Higher than 93% of NSW
NBN connectivity Higher than 92% of NSW Higher than 70% of NSW
Rental yield (houses) Higher than 59% of NSW —

Liveability

Narraweena is more walkable (71 vs 34).

Narraweena Oxford Falls
Grade C —
Score 44/100 —
Socio-economic band very advantaged area
decile 9/10
 very advantaged area
decile 10/10

Risk profile

Narraweena Oxford Falls
Bushfire High
96/100
 High
92/100
Crime Low
30/100
 Low
23/100
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
 4
within 5 km

Schools

Narraweena Oxford Falls
Inside the suburb 5 1
Rated above peers 0
same for both
Rated at peers 1
same for both
Rated below peers 1 0

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 Oxford Falls

  • Oxford Falls Grammar School Independent · Combined at peers

Amenities in the suburb

Narraweena Oxford Falls
Cafes & restaurants 4 0
Parks & reserves 7 2
Childcare 6 2
GPs 1 0
Pharmacies 1 0
Banks & Bank@Post 1 0
Waterways 2 4

Mobility

Narraweena Oxford Falls
Walkability score 71/100 34/100
Distance to Sydney 21.5 km
+6% vs other
 20.2 km
Drive time (normal traffic) 31 min 30 min
Public transport score 94/100
Bus
 19/100
Bus
Peak arrivals per hour 226.0
7-9am + 5-7pm
 2.8
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 Oxford Falls
Car (driver) 47.8% / 58.6%
Narraweena — Car (driver): 47.8% Oxford Falls — Car (driver): 58.6%
Worked from Home 39.7% / 41.4%
Narraweena — Worked from Home: 39.7% Oxford Falls — Worked from Home: 41.4%
Car (passenger) 5.0% / —
Narraweena — Car (passenger): 5.0% Oxford Falls — Car (passenger): not among its largest
Bus 4.4% / —
Narraweena — Bus: 4.4% Oxford Falls — Bus: not among its largest
Walked Only 1.9% / —
Narraweena — Walked Only: 1.9% Oxford Falls — Walked Only: not among its largest

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (58.6%).

Setting

Narraweena Oxford Falls
Elevation 78 m
above sea level, at the suburb centre
 61 m
above sea level, at the suburb centre
Distance to the ocean 2.3 km
2.4 km to a named beach
 5.1 km

NBN connectivity

Narraweena Oxford Falls
Connectivity score 85/100 59/100
Most common technology Fibre to the curb Fibre to the building
Full-fibre (FTTP) share 33%
2,660 premises
 1%
115 premises

Climate

Narraweena Oxford Falls
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 Oxford Falls
PM2.5 5.4 µg/m³
same for both
PM10 14.2 µg/m³
same for both
NO₂ 0.23 pphm
same for both

Council rates

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

Federal electorate

Narraweena Oxford Falls
Division Mackellar
same for both
Member Sophie Scamps
same for both
Party Independent
same for both

First Home Owner Grant

Narraweena Oxford Falls
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

Oxford Falls

Middle-Ring Premium Quiet Retirees River Townhouses

More comparisons

Other comparisons with Narraweena

Narraweena vs Dee Why Narraweena vs Cromer Narraweena vs Beacon Hill Narraweena vs Brookvale

Other comparisons with Oxford Falls

Oxford Falls vs Frenchs Forest Oxford Falls vs Belrose Oxford Falls vs Cromer Oxford Falls vs Beacon Hill Oxford Falls vs Ingleside
Full data on Narraweena Full data on Oxford Falls
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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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