Normanhurst vs Wahroonga

Normanhurst is the younger of the two, with a median age of 41 against 44 in Wahroonga. In both, the large majority of households own their home, most homes are detached houses, and most households are couple families. Houses cost more in Wahroonga: a median of $2.77 million, against $1.93 million in Normanhurst, and rent is higher there too. On these figures, Normanhurst tends to suit 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

Wahroonga

ahead on 4 of the 6 things we measure here

  • has more schools inside the suburb (15 vs 3)
  • has more parks and reserves (31 vs 7)
  • has more childcare (17 vs 4)

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

  • Normanhurst has cheaper houses ($1,925,000 vs $2,770,000)
  • Wahroonga has cheaper units ($1,172,500 vs $1,630,000)

Weighs house prices, unit prices, and mortgage stress.

Renters

Normanhurst

ahead on the one thing that separates them

  • has cheaper rent ($550/wk vs $600/wk)

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

Commuting to the city

Wahroonga

ahead on the one thing that separates them

  • is more walkable (86/100 vs 77/100)

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

Downsizers and retirees

Wahroonga

ahead on 3 of the 5 things we measure here

  • has more GPs (6 vs 1)
  • carries lower crime risk (25/100 vs 47/100)
  • is more walkable (86/100 vs 77/100)

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

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

Normanhurst Wahroonga
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.

Normanhurst Wahroonga
Walkability 77 / 86
Normanhurst — Walkability: 77/100 Wahroonga — Walkability: 86/100
Safety 53 / 75
Normanhurst — Safety: 53/100 Wahroonga — Safety: 75/100
Low fire risk 100 / 44
Normanhurst — Low fire risk: 100/100 Wahroonga — Low fire risk: 44/100

Demographics

Wahroonga has more residents (17,853 vs 5,387); Wahroonga has higher household incomes ($155,896 vs $134,680).

Normanhurst Wahroonga
Population 5,387 17,853
+231% vs other
Population trend (2016 → 2021) +1.8% +2.8%
Median age 41 44
Median household income $134,680/yr $155,896/yr
+16% vs other
Median weekly rent $550/wk $600/wk
+9% vs other

Age profile

Share of residents in each band, 2021 Census.

Normanhurst Wahroonga
0-4 5.2% / 4.5%
Normanhurst — 0-4: 5.2% Wahroonga — 0-4: 4.5%
5-14 14.9% / 14.2%
Normanhurst — 5-14: 14.9% Wahroonga — 5-14: 14.2%
15-19 7.5% / 7.6%
Normanhurst — 15-19: 7.5% Wahroonga — 15-19: 7.6%
20-24 5.5% / 5.4%
Normanhurst — 20-24: 5.5% Wahroonga — 20-24: 5.4%
25-34 7.3% / 6.6%
Normanhurst — 25-34: 7.3% Wahroonga — 25-34: 6.6%
35-44 14.3% / 12.6%
Normanhurst — 35-44: 14.3% Wahroonga — 35-44: 12.6%
45-54 14.5% / 15.1%
Normanhurst — 45-54: 14.5% Wahroonga — 45-54: 15.1%
55-64 12.3% / 11.7%
Normanhurst — 55-64: 12.3% Wahroonga — 55-64: 11.7%
65-74 8.7% / 9.3%
Normanhurst — 65-74: 8.7% Wahroonga — 65-74: 9.3%
75-84 6.4% / 7.6%
Normanhurst — 75-84: 6.4% Wahroonga — 75-84: 7.6%
85+ 3.5% / 5.3%
Normanhurst — 85+: 3.5% Wahroonga — 85+: 5.3%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (15.1%).

Who lives together

Household composition, 2021 Census.

Normanhurst 63.1% couple families
Normanhurst — Couple Families: 63.1% Normanhurst — Lone Person: 22.4% Normanhurst — One Parent Families: 12.1% Normanhurst — Group Household: 2.1% Normanhurst — Other Families: 0.2%
Wahroonga 62.6% couple families
Wahroonga — Couple Families: 62.6% Wahroonga — Lone Person: 22.7% Wahroonga — One Parent Families: 12.0% Wahroonga — Group Household: 1.8% Wahroonga — Other Families: 0.9%
Couple Families Lone Person One Parent Families Group Household Other Families

Who owns and who rents

Occupied private dwellings by tenure, 2021 Census.

Normanhurst 19.5% renting
Normanhurst — Owned Outright: 35.2% Normanhurst — Mortgage: 45.2% Normanhurst — Renting: 19.5%
Wahroonga 18.6% renting
Wahroonga — Owned Outright: 40.1% Wahroonga — Mortgage: 41.3% Wahroonga — Renting: 18.6%
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.

Normanhurst Wahroonga
China 7.1% / 8.2%
Normanhurst — China: 7.1% Wahroonga — China: 8.2%
England 4.3% / 4.9%
Normanhurst — England: 4.3% Wahroonga — England: 4.9%
India 4.4% / 2.9%
Normanhurst — India: 4.4% Wahroonga — India: 2.9%
South Africa 1.4% / 2.6%
Normanhurst — South Africa: 1.4% Wahroonga — South Africa: 2.6%
New Zealand 1.5% / 1.7%
Normanhurst — New Zealand: 1.5% Wahroonga — New Zealand: 1.7%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (8.2%).

Qualifications

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

Normanhurst Wahroonga
Bachelor Degree 21.7% / 25.1%
Normanhurst — Bachelor Degree: 21.7% Wahroonga — Bachelor Degree: 25.1%
Postgraduate Degree 11.4% / 12.7%
Normanhurst — Postgraduate Degree: 11.4% Wahroonga — Postgraduate Degree: 12.7%
Advanced Diploma / Diploma 7.7% / 7.9%
Normanhurst — Advanced Diploma / Diploma: 7.7% Wahroonga — Advanced Diploma / Diploma: 7.9%
Certificate III & IV 6.6% / 4.5%
Normanhurst — Certificate III & IV: 6.6% Wahroonga — Certificate III & IV: 4.5%
Graduate Diploma / Certificate 3.4% / 2.9%
Normanhurst — Graduate Diploma / Certificate: 3.4% Wahroonga — Graduate Diploma / Certificate: 2.9%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (25.1%).

What people live in

Occupied private dwellings by structure, 2021 Census.

Normanhurst 78.8% houses
Normanhurst — Houses: 78.8% Normanhurst — Flats / Apartments: 6.3% Normanhurst — Townhouses: 14.9%
Wahroonga 74.5% houses
Wahroonga — Houses: 74.5% Wahroonga — Flats / Apartments: 19.8% Wahroonga — Townhouses: 5.7%
Houses Flats / Apartments Townhouses

Property market

Normanhurst Wahroonga
Median house price $1,925,000 $2,770,000
Median unit price $1,630,000 $1,172,500
Median land price — $1,457,500
Typical days to sell (houses) 22 days
from 40 sales
 23 days
from 201 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.

Normanhurst Wahroonga
3 bed $1.81M / $2.31M
Normanhurst — 3 bed: $1.81M (24 sales) Wahroonga — 3 bed: $2.31M (48 sales)

24 vs 48 sales

4 bed $2M / $2.5M
Normanhurst — 4 bed: $2M (22 sales) Wahroonga — 4 bed: $2.5M (100 sales)

22 vs 100 sales

Zoning mix

Wahroonga has more land zoned for conservation (27% vs 1%).

Normanhurst Wahroonga
Residential 86% 63%
Environmental 1% 27%
Parks and recreation 9% 2%
Infrastructure and transport 5% 8%
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

Normanhurst Wahroonga
New dwellings approved 260
across Hornsby
 908
across Ku-ring-gai
Approvals change year on year -79% +0%

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.

Normanhurst Wahroonga
Houses — 2.6%
$1,395/wk on $2.77M
Units — 5.0%
$728/wk on $755K

Ranking within NSW

Normanhurst Wahroonga
House price Higher than 84% of NSW Higher than 93% of NSW
Income Higher than 90% of NSW Higher than 95% of NSW
Schools Higher than 100% of NSW Higher than 60% of NSW
Walkability Higher than 91% of NSW Higher than 95% of NSW
Affordability Higher than 37% of NSW Higher than 18% of NSW
EV adoption Higher than 98% of NSW
same for both
NBN connectivity Higher than 86% of NSW Higher than 81% of NSW
Rental yield (houses) — Higher than 9% of NSW
Rental yield (units) — Higher than 68% of NSW

Liveability

Normanhurst scores higher overall (86 vs 74); Wahroonga is more walkable (86 vs 77).

Normanhurst Wahroonga
Grade A
same for both
Score 86/100 74/100
Socio-economic band very advantaged area
decile 10/10
same for both

Risk profile

Wahroonga carries more bushfire risk (56 vs 0); Normanhurst carries more crime risk (47 vs 25).

Normanhurst Wahroonga
Bushfire None
0/100
 Moderate
56/100
Crime Moderate
47/100
 Low
25/100
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

Normanhurst Wahroonga
Inside the suburb 3 15
Rated above peers 3 4
Rated at peers 0 1
Rated below peers 0 2
Universities within 10 km 1
Macquarie University Wallumattagal Campus at North Ryde, 6.9 km
 1
Macquarie University Wallumattagal Campus at North Ryde, 6.6 km
Full-time students aged 15–24 3.6% 4.4%

Schools in Normanhurst

  • Loreto Normanhurst Independent · Combined above peers
  • Normanhurst Boys High School Government · Secondary above peers
  • Normanhurst Public School Government · Primary above peers

Schools in Wahroonga

  • Abbotsleigh Independent · Combined above peers
  • Knox Grammar Preparatory School Independent · Primary above peers
  • Wahroonga Public School Government · Primary above peers
  • Waitara Public School Government · Primary above peers
  • Wahroonga Adventist School Independent · Combined at peers
  • Broken Bay Cross Campus Course Centre Catholic · Secondary below peers

Amenities in the suburb

Normanhurst Wahroonga
Supermarkets 0 1
Cafes & restaurants 0 13
Parks & reserves 7 31
Childcare 4 17
GPs 1 6
Pharmacies 1 5
Hospitals 0 2
Banks & Bank@Post 1
same for both
Fuel stations 2
same for both
Waterways 7 28

Mobility

Normanhurst Wahroonga
Walkability score 77/100 86/100
Distance to Sydney 26.4 km
+7% vs other
 24.5 km
Drive time (normal traffic) 33 min 31 min
Public transport score 92/100
Rail · Bus
 94/100
Rail · Bus
Peak arrivals per hour 82.8
7-9am + 5-7pm
 323.2
7-9am + 5-7pm
Median peak wait 1 min
scheduled, not actual
 0 min
scheduled, not actual
Electric vehicle share 3.3%
postcode 2076
same for both
Rooftop solar per 100 dwellings 30
postcode 2076
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.

Normanhurst Wahroonga
Worked from Home 59.1% / 60.5%
Normanhurst — Worked from Home: 59.1% Wahroonga — Worked from Home: 60.5%
Car (driver) 31.0% / 30.1%
Normanhurst — Car (driver): 31.0% Wahroonga — Car (driver): 30.1%
Train 4.9% / 3.6%
Normanhurst — Train: 4.9% Wahroonga — Train: 3.6%
Car (passenger) 2.7% / 2.8%
Normanhurst — Car (passenger): 2.7% Wahroonga — Car (passenger): 2.8%
Walked Only 1.7% / 2.5%
Normanhurst — Walked Only: 1.7% Wahroonga — Walked Only: 2.5%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (60.5%).

Setting

Normanhurst Wahroonga
Elevation 183 m
above sea level, at the suburb centre
 185 m
above sea level, at the suburb centre
Distance to the ocean 16.9 km 15.7 km

NBN connectivity

Normanhurst Wahroonga
Connectivity score 76/100 74/100
Most common technology Hybrid fibre-coaxial
same for both
Full-fibre (FTTP) share 7%
2,146 premises
 3%
7,074 premises

Climate

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

Air quality (annual mean)

Normanhurst Wahroonga
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

Normanhurst Wahroonga
Average residential rate $1,488/yr $1,626/yr
Council Hornsby Ku-ring-gai

Federal electorate

Normanhurst Wahroonga
Division Berowra Bradfield
Member Julian Leeser Nicolette Boele
Party Liberal Independent

First Home Owner Grant

Normanhurst Wahroonga
Grant amount $10,000
same for both
Property price cap $600,000
same for both
Eligibility New
same for both

Tags

Normanhurst

Easy Commute Middle-Ring Parks Premium Professionals Transport Hub

Wahroonga

Easy Commute Middle-Ring Parks Premium Professionals River Transport Hub

More comparisons

Other comparisons with Normanhurst

Normanhurst vs Hornsby Normanhurst vs Thornleigh

Other comparisons with Wahroonga

Wahroonga vs Hornsby Wahroonga vs Turramurra Wahroonga vs Thornleigh Wahroonga vs Waitara Wahroonga vs Pennant Hills Wahroonga vs North Turramurra
Full data on Normanhurst Full data on Wahroonga
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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