Northbridge vs Naremburn

Naremburn is the younger of the two, with a median age of 39 against 44 in Northbridge. In both, most households own their home. In Northbridge, most homes are detached houses and most households are couple families. In Naremburn, about half of households are couple families. Houses cost more in Northbridge: a median of $5.3 million, against $3.13 million in Naremburn, and rent is higher there too. Naremburn is closer to the city centre: 7.2 km, against 8.1 km. On these figures, Northbridge tends to suit couples, while Naremburn suits people living alone and 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

Northbridge

ahead on 4 of the 6 things we measure here

  • has more schools inside the suburb (3 vs 1)
  • has more separate houses rather than flats (74% vs 38%)
  • has more parks and reserves (9 vs 5)

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

  • Northbridge has cheaper units ($1,135,000 vs $1,277,500)
  • Naremburn has cheaper houses ($3,127,500 vs $5,300,000)

Weighs house prices, unit prices, and mortgage stress.

Renters

Naremburn

ahead on 2 of the 3 things we measure here

  • has a bigger rental market to choose from (36% vs 20%)
  • has cheaper rent ($602/wk vs $740/wk)

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 86/100)

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

Downsizers and retirees

They split

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

  • Northbridge has more GPs (3 vs 0)
  • Naremburn has more units and townhouses to downsize into (62% vs 26%)

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

Investors

Too close to call

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

Weighs house yield, unit yield, and population growth.

Where they sit

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

Northbridge Naremburn
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.

Northbridge Naremburn
Walkability 86 / 99
Northbridge — Walkability: 86/100 Naremburn — Walkability: 99/100
Safety 77 / 71
Northbridge — Safety: 77/100 Naremburn — Safety: 71/100
Low fire risk 100 / 100
Northbridge — Low fire risk: 100/100 Naremburn — Low fire risk: 100/100

Demographics

Northbridge rents higher ($740/wk vs $602/wk); Northbridge has higher household incomes ($201,448 vs $170,144).

Northbridge Naremburn
Population 6,493
+9% vs other
 5,924
Population trend (2016 → 2021) +2.3% +0.7%
Median age 44 39
Median household income $201,448/yr
+16% vs other
 $170,144/yr
Median weekly rent $740/wk
+19% vs other
 $602/wk

Age profile

Share of residents in each band, 2021 Census.

Northbridge Naremburn
0-4 4.1% / 7.7%
Northbridge — 0-4: 4.1% Naremburn — 0-4: 7.7%
5-14 16.4% / 12.3%
Northbridge — 5-14: 16.4% Naremburn — 5-14: 12.3%
15-19 7.8% / 4.1%
Northbridge — 15-19: 7.8% Naremburn — 15-19: 4.1%
20-24 4.5% / 3.5%
Northbridge — 20-24: 4.5% Naremburn — 20-24: 3.5%
25-34 5.6% / 14.3%
Northbridge — 25-34: 5.6% Naremburn — 25-34: 14.3%
35-44 11.8% / 18.9%
Northbridge — 35-44: 11.8% Naremburn — 35-44: 18.9%
45-54 16.0% / 14.4%
Northbridge — 45-54: 16.0% Naremburn — 45-54: 14.4%
55-64 13.1% / 11.4%
Northbridge — 55-64: 13.1% Naremburn — 55-64: 11.4%
65-74 10.3% / 8.6%
Northbridge — 65-74: 10.3% Naremburn — 65-74: 8.6%
75-84 6.3% / 3.6%
Northbridge — 75-84: 6.3% Naremburn — 75-84: 3.6%
85+ 4.2% / 1.3%
Northbridge — 85+: 4.2% Naremburn — 85+: 1.3%

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

Who lives together

Household composition, 2021 Census.

Northbridge 62.3% couple families
Northbridge — Couple Families: 62.3% Northbridge — Lone Person: 24.8% Northbridge — One Parent Families: 10.2% Northbridge — Group Household: 1.6% Northbridge — Other Families: 1.2%
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%
Couple Families Lone Person One Parent Families Group Household Other Families

Who owns and who rents

Occupied private dwellings by tenure, 2021 Census.

Northbridge 20.1% renting
Northbridge — Owned Outright: 49.2% Northbridge — Mortgage: 30.7% Northbridge — Renting: 20.1%
Naremburn 36.3% renting
Naremburn — Owned Outright: 30.3% Naremburn — Mortgage: 33.4% Naremburn — Renting: 36.3%
Owned outright Mortgage Renting

Qualifications

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

Northbridge Naremburn
Bachelor Degree 26.5% / 29.0%
Northbridge — Bachelor Degree: 26.5% Naremburn — Bachelor Degree: 29.0%
Postgraduate Degree 12.7% / 13.6%
Northbridge — Postgraduate Degree: 12.7% Naremburn — Postgraduate Degree: 13.6%
Advanced Diploma / Diploma 7.2% / 7.6%
Northbridge — Advanced Diploma / Diploma: 7.2% Naremburn — Advanced Diploma / Diploma: 7.6%
Certificate III & IV 3.2% / 4.9%
Northbridge — Certificate III & IV: 3.2% Naremburn — Certificate III & IV: 4.9%
Graduate Diploma / Certificate 2.8% / 3.0%
Northbridge — Graduate Diploma / Certificate: 2.8% Naremburn — Graduate Diploma / Certificate: 3.0%

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

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.

Northbridge Naremburn
England 4.8% / 5.7%
Northbridge — England: 4.8% Naremburn — England: 5.7%
China 3.9% / 3.5%
Northbridge — China: 3.9% Naremburn — China: 3.5%
New Zealand 1.8% / 2.1%
Northbridge — New Zealand: 1.8% Naremburn — New Zealand: 2.1%
South Africa 1.1% / 1.9%
Northbridge — South Africa: 1.1% Naremburn — South Africa: 1.9%
India 0.7% / 2.1%
Northbridge — India: 0.7% Naremburn — India: 2.1%
Japan 1.6% / 0.9%
Northbridge — Japan: 1.6% Naremburn — Japan: 0.9%

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

What people live in

Occupied private dwellings by structure, 2021 Census.

Northbridge 74.1% houses
Northbridge — Houses: 74.1% Northbridge — Flats / Apartments: 19.5% Northbridge — Townhouses: 6.3%
Naremburn 37.8% houses
Naremburn — Houses: 37.8% Naremburn — Flats / Apartments: 42.7% Naremburn — Townhouses: 19.5%
Houses Flats / Apartments Townhouses

Property market

Northbridge Naremburn
Median house price $5,300,000 $3,127,500
Median unit price $1,135,000 $1,277,500
Median land price —
same for both
Typical days to sell (houses) 28 days
from 32 sales
 21 days
from 21 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.

Northbridge Naremburn
1 bed $853K / $845K
Northbridge — 1 bed: $853K (8 sales) Naremburn — 1 bed: $845K (18 sales)

8 vs 18 sales

2 bed $1.15M / $1.34M
Northbridge — 2 bed: $1.15M (9 sales) Naremburn — 2 bed: $1.34M (35 sales)

9 vs 35 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.

Northbridge Naremburn
2 bed $2.99M / $2.88M
Northbridge — 2 bed: $2.99M (6 sales) Naremburn — 2 bed: $2.88M (8 sales)

6 vs 8 sales

3 bed $3.62M / $3.05M
Northbridge — 3 bed: $3.62M (5 sales) Naremburn — 3 bed: $3.05M (25 sales)

5 vs 25 sales

4 bed $5.31M / $3.6M
Northbridge — 4 bed: $5.31M (22 sales) Naremburn — 4 bed: $3.6M (19 sales)

22 vs 19 sales

5 bed $6M / $4.87M
Northbridge — 5 bed: $6M (23 sales) Naremburn — 5 bed: $4.87M (5 sales)

23 vs 5 sales

Zoning mix

Northbridge has more land zoned for conservation (31% vs 7%).

Northbridge Naremburn
Residential 42% 74%
Environmental 31% 7%
Parks and recreation 19% 9%
Infrastructure and transport 6% 8%
Commercial 2%
same for both
Planning zones cover 99% of Northbridge and 99% of Naremburn. 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

Northbridge Naremburn
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.

Northbridge Naremburn
Houses 2.3%
$1,900/wk on $4.3M
 2.0%
$1,300/wk on $3.3M
Units 3.5%
$950/wk on $1.4M
 3.6%
$888/wk on $1.3M

Ranking within NSW

Northbridge Naremburn
House price Higher than 99% of NSW Higher than 94% of NSW
Income Higher than 99% of NSW Higher than 98% of NSW
Schools Higher than 10% of NSW —
Walkability Higher than 95% of NSW Higher than 100% of NSW
Affordability Higher than 7% of NSW Higher than 21% of NSW
EV adoption Higher than 100% of NSW Higher than 99% of NSW
NBN connectivity Higher than 82% of NSW Higher than 84% of NSW
Rental yield (houses) Higher than 4% of NSW Higher than 2% of NSW
Rental yield (units) Higher than 11% of NSW Higher than 12% of NSW

Liveability

Naremburn scores higher overall (96 vs 75); Naremburn is more walkable (99 vs 86).

Northbridge Naremburn
Grade A A+
Score 75/100 96/100
Socio-economic band very advantaged area
decile 10/10
same for both

Risk profile

Northbridge Naremburn
Bushfire None
0/100
same for both
Crime Low
23/100
 Low
29/100
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

Northbridge Naremburn
Inside the suburb 3 1
Rated above peers 0
same for both
Rated at peers 1 0
Rated below peers 1 0
Universities within 10 km 3
Australian Catholic University-North Sydney Campus, 3.0 km
 3
Australian Catholic University-North Sydney Campus, 2.3 km
Full-time students aged 15–24 3.9% 2.2%

Schools in Northbridge

  • Northbridge Public School Government · Primary at peers
  • St Philip Neri Catholic Primary School Catholic · Primary below peers
  • SHORE - Sydney Church of England Preparatory School, Northbridge Independent · Primary

Schools in Naremburn

  • Naremburn School Government · Secondary · Special school

Amenities in the suburb

Northbridge Naremburn
Supermarkets 2 0
Cafes & restaurants 8 0
Parks & reserves 9 5
Childcare 5 4
GPs 3 0
Pharmacies 1 0
Banks & Bank@Post 1 0
Fuel stations 0 1
EV chargers 1 0
Beaches 1 0
Waterways 2 0

Mobility

Northbridge Naremburn
Walkability score 86/100 99/100
Distance to Sydney 8.1 km
+11% vs other
 7.2 km
Drive time (normal traffic) 14 min 12 min
Public transport score 79/100
Bus
same for both
Peak arrivals per hour 262.0
7-9am + 5-7pm
 53.2
7-9am + 5-7pm
Median peak wait 0 min
scheduled, not actual
 1 min
scheduled, not actual
Electric vehicle share 5.1%
postcode 2063
 3.8%
postcode 2065
Rooftop solar per 100 dwellings 34
postcode 2063
 8
postcode 2065

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.

Northbridge Naremburn
Worked from Home 65.9% / 68.3%
Northbridge — Worked from Home: 65.9% Naremburn — Worked from Home: 68.3%
Car (driver) 26.2% / 20.1%
Northbridge — Car (driver): 26.2% Naremburn — Car (driver): 20.1%
Walked Only 2.5% / 5.5%
Northbridge — Walked Only: 2.5% Naremburn — Walked Only: 5.5%
Car (passenger) 2.6% / 1.7%
Northbridge — Car (passenger): 2.6% Naremburn — Car (passenger): 1.7%
Bus 2.0% / 1.5%
Northbridge — Bus: 2.0% Naremburn — Bus: 1.5%
Train 0.5% / 2.5%
Northbridge — Train: 0.5% Naremburn — Train: 2.5%

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

Setting

Northbridge Naremburn
Elevation 87 m
above sea level, at the suburb centre
 73 m
above sea level, at the suburb centre
Distance to the ocean 2.7 km
1.3 km to a named beach
 4.3 km
3.0 km to a named beach

NBN connectivity

Northbridge Naremburn
Connectivity score 75/100
same for both
Most common technology Hybrid fibre-coaxial
same for both
Full-fibre (FTTP) share 2%
2,599 premises
 4%
2,733 premises

Climate

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

Air quality (annual mean)

Northbridge Naremburn
PM2.5 6.3 µg/m³ 6.5 µg/m³
PM10 13.8 µg/m³ 15.7 µg/m³
NO₂ 0.84 pphm 0.62 pphm

Council rates

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

Federal electorate

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

First Home Owner Grant

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

Tags

Northbridge

Beach Coastal Inner Luxury Parks Professionals River

Naremburn

Apartments Cafe Culture Inner Parks Professionals Urban

More comparisons

Other comparisons with Northbridge

Northbridge vs Willoughby Northbridge vs Cammeray Northbridge vs Castlecrag

Other comparisons with Naremburn

Naremburn vs Artarmon Naremburn vs St Leonards Naremburn vs Willoughby Naremburn vs Cammeray Naremburn vs Crows Nest
Full data on Northbridge Full data on Naremburn
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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