Nightcliff vs Ludmilla

In Nightcliff, most households rent and most homes are flats or apartments. In Ludmilla, most households own their home and the large majority of homes are detached houses. Houses cost more in Nightcliff: a median of $1.17 million, against $778,000 in Ludmilla, and rent is higher there too. Ludmilla is closer to the city centre: 8.8 km, against 11.9 km. On these figures, Nightcliff tends to suit renters and people living alone, while Ludmilla suits buyers on a tighter budget.

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

Ludmilla

ahead on 2 of the 5 things we measure here

  • has more separate houses rather than flats (76% vs 36%)
  • is already more of a family suburb (62% vs 46%)
  • But Nightcliff has more schools rated above their peers (1 vs 0)

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

First-home buyers

Ludmilla

ahead on the one thing that separates them

  • has cheaper houses ($777,500 vs $1,170,000)

Weighs house prices, unit prices, and mortgage stress.

Renters

They split

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

  • Nightcliff has a bigger rental market to choose from (55% vs 44%)
  • Ludmilla has cheaper rent ($300/wk vs $350/wk)

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

Commuting to the city

They split

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

  • Nightcliff is more walkable (72/100 vs 45/100)
  • Ludmilla sits closer to the CBD (8.8 km vs 11.9 km)

Weighs distance, drive time, and walkability.

Downsizers and retirees

Nightcliff

ahead on 2 of the 4 things we measure here

  • has more units and townhouses to downsize into (64% vs 24%)
  • is more walkable (72/100 vs 45/100)

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

Investors

They split

one each way, out of the 2 things we measure here

  • Nightcliff is growing faster (0.8% vs -4.4%)
  • Ludmilla returns a higher gross yield on houses (5.5% vs 3.9%)

Weighs house yield and population growth.

Where they sit

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

Nightcliff Ludmilla
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.

Nightcliff Ludmilla
Walkability 72 / 45
Nightcliff — Walkability: 72/100 Ludmilla — Walkability: 45/100

Demographics

Nightcliff has more residents (3,884 vs 1,667); Nightcliff rents higher ($350/wk vs $300/wk).

Nightcliff Ludmilla
Population 3,884
+57% vs other
 1,667
Population trend (2016 → 2021) +0.8% -4.4%
Median age 34 35
Median household income $106,652/yr $106,912/yr
Median weekly rent $350/wk
+14% vs other
 $300/wk

Age profile

Share of residents in each band, 2021 Census.

Nightcliff Ludmilla
0-4 6.7% / 6.3%
Nightcliff — 0-4: 6.7% Ludmilla — 0-4: 6.3%
5-14 10.6% / 12.3%
Nightcliff — 5-14: 10.6% Ludmilla — 5-14: 12.3%
15-19 4.3% / 6.2%
Nightcliff — 15-19: 4.3% Ludmilla — 15-19: 6.2%
20-24 4.8% / 5.8%
Nightcliff — 20-24: 4.8% Ludmilla — 20-24: 5.8%
25-34 23.9% / 19.1%
Nightcliff — 25-34: 23.9% Ludmilla — 25-34: 19.1%
35-44 16.8% / 13.9%
Nightcliff — 35-44: 16.8% Ludmilla — 35-44: 13.9%
45-54 11.9% / 14.5%
Nightcliff — 45-54: 11.9% Ludmilla — 45-54: 14.5%
55-64 9.7% / 9.8%
Nightcliff — 55-64: 9.7% Ludmilla — 55-64: 9.8%
65-74 8.0% / 7.6%
Nightcliff — 65-74: 8.0% Ludmilla — 65-74: 7.6%
75-84 2.7% / 4.1%
Nightcliff — 75-84: 2.7% Ludmilla — 75-84: 4.1%
85+ 0.7% / 0.8%
Nightcliff — 85+: 0.7% Ludmilla — 85+: 0.8%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (23.9%).

Who lives together

Household composition, 2021 Census.

Nightcliff 35.0% couple families
Nightcliff — Couple Families: 35.0% Nightcliff — Lone Person: 41.4% Nightcliff — One Parent Families: 10.7% Nightcliff — Group Household: 10.6% Nightcliff — Other Families: 2.3%
Ludmilla 39.1% couple families
Ludmilla — Couple Families: 39.1% Ludmilla — Lone Person: 25.7% Ludmilla — One Parent Families: 22.6% Ludmilla — Group Household: 10.6% Ludmilla — Other Families: 2.0%
Couple Families Lone Person One Parent Families Group Household Other Families

Who owns and who rents

Occupied private dwellings by tenure, 2021 Census.

Nightcliff 55.3% renting
Nightcliff — Owned Outright: 19.8% Nightcliff — Mortgage: 24.9% Nightcliff — Renting: 55.3%
Ludmilla 44.1% renting
Ludmilla — Owned Outright: 21.9% Ludmilla — Mortgage: 34.0% Ludmilla — Renting: 44.1%
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.

Nightcliff Ludmilla
India 6.1% / 1.8%
Nightcliff — India: 6.1% Ludmilla — India: 1.8%
Philippines 3.4% / 4.0%
Nightcliff — Philippines: 3.4% Ludmilla — Philippines: 4.0%
England 2.9% / 2.9%
Nightcliff — England: 2.9% Ludmilla — England: 2.9%
Nepal 4.0% / 0.8%
Nightcliff — Nepal: 4.0% Ludmilla — Nepal: 0.8%
New Zealand 1.7% / 2.0%
Nightcliff — New Zealand: 1.7% Ludmilla — New Zealand: 2.0%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (6.1%).

Qualifications

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

Nightcliff Ludmilla
Bachelor Degree 21.1% / 14.8%
Nightcliff — Bachelor Degree: 21.1% Ludmilla — Bachelor Degree: 14.8%
Certificate III & IV 10.0% / 12.8%
Nightcliff — Certificate III & IV: 10.0% Ludmilla — Certificate III & IV: 12.8%
Postgraduate Degree 12.9% / 4.9%
Nightcliff — Postgraduate Degree: 12.9% Ludmilla — Postgraduate Degree: 4.9%
Advanced Diploma / Diploma 6.4% / 5.9%
Nightcliff — Advanced Diploma / Diploma: 6.4% Ludmilla — Advanced Diploma / Diploma: 5.9%
Graduate Diploma / Certificate 3.6% / 2.5%
Nightcliff — Graduate Diploma / Certificate: 3.6% Ludmilla — Graduate Diploma / Certificate: 2.5%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (21.1%).

What people live in

Occupied private dwellings by structure, 2021 Census.

Nightcliff 35.8% houses
Nightcliff — Houses: 35.8% Nightcliff — Flats / Apartments: 55.2% Nightcliff — Townhouses: 9.0%
Ludmilla 76.0% houses
Ludmilla — Houses: 76.0% Ludmilla — Flats / Apartments: 9.0% Ludmilla — Townhouses: 14.9%
Houses Flats / Apartments Townhouses

Property market

Nightcliff Ludmilla
Median house price $1,170,000 $777,500
Median unit price $415,000 $380,000
Median land price —
same for both
Typical days to sell (houses) 22 days
from 19 sales
 18 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.

Nightcliff Ludmilla
3 bed $885K / $682K
Nightcliff — 3 bed: $885K (16 sales) Ludmilla — 3 bed: $682K (30 sales)

16 vs 30 sales

4 bed $1.27M / $890K
Nightcliff — 4 bed: $1.27M (11 sales) Ludmilla — 4 bed: $890K (25 sales)

11 vs 25 sales

Development activity

Nightcliff Ludmilla
New dwellings approved 171
across Darwin
same for both
Approvals change year on year +47%
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.

Nightcliff Ludmilla
Houses 3.9%
$735/wk on $970K
 5.5%
$950/wk on $900K
Units 6.2%
$510/wk on $430K
 —

Ranking within NT

Nightcliff Ludmilla
House price —
same for both
Income Higher than 67% of NT Higher than 69% of NT
Schools —
same for both
Walkability Higher than 94% of NT Higher than 82% of NT
Affordability —
same for both
EV adoption Higher than 91% of NT Higher than 99% of NT
NBN connectivity Higher than 82% of NT Higher than 94% of NT
Rental yield (houses) Higher than 11% of NT Higher than 67% of NT
Rental yield (units) Higher than 19% of NT —

Liveability

Nightcliff is more walkable (72 vs 45); Nightcliff scores higher overall (85 vs 55).

Nightcliff Ludmilla
Grade A B
Score 85/100 55/100
Socio-economic band very advantaged area
decile 9/10
 mid-range socio-economic
decile 5/10

Risk profile

Nightcliff Ludmilla
Bushfire Not mapped
no mapped data here
same for both
Crime Not mapped
no mapped data here
same for both
Flood Not mapped
no mapped data here
same for both
Coastal erosion Low
15/100
 Low
14/100
Aircraft noise None
0/100
 High
83/100
Industrial facilities nearby 3
within 5 km
 5
within 5 km

Schools

Nightcliff Ludmilla
Inside the suburb 1
same for both
Rated above peers 1 0
Rated at peers 0
same for both
Rated below peers 0 1
Universities within 10 km 2
Casuarina Campus, 4.3 km
 2
Danala Education and Community Precinct, 5.5 km
Full-time students aged 15–24 1.4% 0.7%

Schools in Nightcliff

  • Nightcliff Primary School Government · Primary above peers

Schools in Ludmilla

  • Ludmilla Primary School Government · Primary below peers

Amenities in the suburb

Nightcliff Ludmilla
Supermarkets 1 0
Cafes & restaurants 4 0
Parks & reserves 6 5
Childcare 3 2
GPs 0 1
Pharmacies 0 1
Police stations 1 0
Banks & Bank@Post 2 0
Fuel stations 3 2
Beaches 1 0
Waterways 0 3

Mobility

Nightcliff sits further from the CBD (11.9 km vs 8.8 km).

Nightcliff Ludmilla
Walkability score 72/100 45/100
Distance to Darwin 11.9 km
+26% vs other
 8.8 km
Drive time (normal traffic) 18 min 14 min
Public transport score 92/100
Bus
 69/100
Bus
Peak arrivals per hour 33.5
7-9am + 5-7pm
 15.8
7-9am + 5-7pm
Median peak wait 1 min
scheduled, not actual
same for both
Electric vehicle share 0.7%
postcode 0810
 1.1%
postcode 0820
Rooftop solar per 100 dwellings 35
postcode 0810
 19
postcode 0820

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.

Nightcliff Ludmilla
Car (driver) 76.5% / 77.9%
Nightcliff — Car (driver): 76.5% Ludmilla — Car (driver): 77.9%
Car (passenger) 7.3% / 7.2%
Nightcliff — Car (passenger): 7.3% Ludmilla — Car (passenger): 7.2%
Worked from Home 4.9% / 5.9%
Nightcliff — Worked from Home: 4.9% Ludmilla — Worked from Home: 5.9%
Bicycle 5.0% / 3.1%
Nightcliff — Bicycle: 5.0% Ludmilla — Bicycle: 3.1%
Bus 4.5% / 3.3%
Nightcliff — Bus: 4.5% Ludmilla — Bus: 3.3%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (77.9%).

Setting

Nightcliff Ludmilla
Elevation 4 m
above sea level, at the suburb centre
 6 m
above sea level, at the suburb centre
Distance to the ocean 179 m
889 m to a named beach
 1.1 km
1.9 km to a named beach

NBN connectivity

Nightcliff Ludmilla
Connectivity score 99/100 100/100
Most common technology Fibre to the premises
same for both
Full-fibre (FTTP) share 97%
2,169 premises
 100%
670 premises

Climate

Nightcliff Ludmilla
Annual rainfall 1,836 mm
same for both
Summer max (Jan) 32.5°C
same for both
Winter min (Jul) 19.8°C
same for both

Council rates

Nightcliff Ludmilla
Average residential rate $1,870/yr
same for both
Council Darwin
same for both

Federal electorate

Nightcliff Ludmilla
Division Solomon
same for both
Member Luke John Gosling
same for both
Party Australian Labor Party
same for both

First Home Owner Grant

Nightcliff Ludmilla
Grant amount $50,000
same for both
Property price cap —
same for both
Eligibility New
same for both

Tags

Nightcliff

Apartments Beach Coastal Easy Commute Middle-Ring Parks Professionals Transport Hub

Ludmilla

Coastal Inner River

More comparisons

Other comparisons with Nightcliff

Nightcliff vs Rapid Creek Nightcliff vs Coconut Grove

Other comparisons with Ludmilla

Ludmilla vs Coconut Grove Ludmilla vs Fannie Bay Ludmilla vs Parap Ludmilla vs Woolner Ludmilla vs The Narrows Ludmilla vs Eaton
Full data on Nightcliff Full data on Ludmilla
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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