Nowra Hill vs South Nowra

South Nowra is the younger of the two, with a median age of 33 against 37 in Nowra Hill. In both, most households own their home and the large majority of homes are detached houses. In Nowra Hill, most households are couple families. In South Nowra, about half of households are couple families. Houses cost more in Nowra Hill: a median of $1.34 million, against $850,000 in South Nowra, though rent is higher in South Nowra. On these figures, Nowra Hill tends to suit young adults, while South Nowra suits families with children 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

Nowra Hill

ahead on 2 of the 6 things we measure here

  • carries lower crime risk (30/100 vs 88/100)
  • is already more of a family suburb (76% vs 68%)
  • But South Nowra has more childcare (7 vs 1)

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

First-home buyers

South Nowra

ahead on 2 of the 3 things we measure here

  • has cheaper land ($470,000 vs $1,213,750)
  • has cheaper houses ($850,000 vs $1,342,500)

Weighs house prices, land prices, and mortgage stress.

Renters

Nowra Hill

ahead on 2 of the 3 things we measure here

  • leaves renters under less rental stress (15% vs 22%)
  • has cheaper rent ($285/wk vs $398/wk)
  • But South Nowra has a bigger rental market to choose from (36% vs 11%)

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

Commuting to the city

South Nowra

ahead on 3 of the 3 things we measure here

  • is more walkable (52/100 vs 21/100)
  • has a shorter drive in (136 min vs 143 min)
  • sits closer to the CBD (165.5 km vs 171.3 km)

Weighs distance, drive time, and walkability.

Downsizers and retirees

They split

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

  • Nowra Hill carries lower crime risk (30/100 vs 88/100)
  • South Nowra is more walkable (52/100 vs 21/100)

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

Investors

South Nowra

ahead on the one thing that separates them

  • is growing faster (64.2% vs 2.2%)

Weighs population growth.

Where they sit

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

Nowra Hill South Nowra
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.

Nowra Hill South Nowra
Walkability 21 / 52
Nowra Hill — Walkability: 21/100 South Nowra — Walkability: 52/100
Safety 70 / 12
Nowra Hill — Safety: 70/100 South Nowra — Safety: 12/100
Low fire risk 56 / 31
Nowra Hill — Low fire risk: 56/100 South Nowra — Low fire risk: 31/100

Demographics

South Nowra has more residents (3,165 vs 2,141); South Nowra rents higher ($398/wk vs $285/wk).

Nowra Hill South Nowra
Population 2,141 3,165
+48% vs other
Population trend (2016 → 2021) +2.2% +64.2%
Median age 37 33
Median household income $98,904/yr
+6% vs other
 $93,028/yr
Median weekly rent $285/wk $398/wk
+40% vs other

Age profile

Share of residents in each band, 2021 Census.

Nowra Hill South Nowra
0-4 2.0% / 8.4%
Nowra Hill — 0-4: 2.0% South Nowra — 0-4: 8.4%
5-14 6.6% / 16.0%
Nowra Hill — 5-14: 6.6% South Nowra — 5-14: 16.0%
15-19 6.9% / 5.5%
Nowra Hill — 15-19: 6.9% South Nowra — 15-19: 5.5%
20-24 12.5% / 6.1%
Nowra Hill — 20-24: 12.5% South Nowra — 20-24: 6.1%
25-34 19.1% / 16.7%
Nowra Hill — 25-34: 19.1% South Nowra — 25-34: 16.7%
35-44 16.9% / 15.2%
Nowra Hill — 35-44: 16.9% South Nowra — 35-44: 15.2%
45-54 13.6% / 10.0%
Nowra Hill — 45-54: 13.6% South Nowra — 45-54: 10.0%
55-64 12.0% / 8.2%
Nowra Hill — 55-64: 12.0% South Nowra — 55-64: 8.2%
65-74 7.5% / 8.4%
Nowra Hill — 65-74: 7.5% South Nowra — 65-74: 8.4%
75-84 2.8% / 3.9%
Nowra Hill — 75-84: 2.8% South Nowra — 75-84: 3.9%
85+ 0.7% / 1.7%
Nowra Hill — 85+: 0.7% South Nowra — 85+: 1.7%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (19.1%).

Who lives together

Household composition, 2021 Census.

Nowra Hill 57.1% couple families
Nowra Hill — Couple Families: 57.1% Nowra Hill — Lone Person: 21.2% Nowra Hill — One Parent Families: 18.7% Nowra Hill — Group Household: 2.9% Nowra Hill — Other Families: 0.0%
South Nowra 49.7% couple families
South Nowra — Couple Families: 49.7% South Nowra — Lone Person: 27.6% South Nowra — One Parent Families: 17.9% South Nowra — Group Household: 4.0% South Nowra — Other Families: 0.7%
Couple Families Lone Person One Parent Families Group Household Other Families

Who owns and who rents

Occupied private dwellings by tenure, 2021 Census.

Nowra Hill 11.2% renting
Nowra Hill — Owned Outright: 43.3% Nowra Hill — Mortgage: 45.5% Nowra Hill — Renting: 11.2%
South Nowra 35.7% renting
South Nowra — Owned Outright: 23.0% South Nowra — Mortgage: 41.2% South Nowra — Renting: 35.7%
Owned outright Mortgage Renting

Qualifications

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

Nowra Hill South Nowra
Certificate III & IV 14.6% / 18.7%
Nowra Hill — Certificate III & IV: 14.6% South Nowra — Certificate III & IV: 18.7%
Bachelor Degree 4.3% / 8.0%
Nowra Hill — Bachelor Degree: 4.3% South Nowra — Bachelor Degree: 8.0%
Advanced Diploma / Diploma 4.6% / 7.1%
Nowra Hill — Advanced Diploma / Diploma: 4.6% South Nowra — Advanced Diploma / Diploma: 7.1%
Postgraduate Degree 1.4% / 2.4%
Nowra Hill — Postgraduate Degree: 1.4% South Nowra — Postgraduate Degree: 2.4%
Graduate Diploma / Certificate 0.8% / 1.0%
Nowra Hill — Graduate Diploma / Certificate: 0.8% South Nowra — Graduate Diploma / Certificate: 1.0%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (18.7%).

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.

Nowra Hill South Nowra
England 3.3% / 3.1%
Nowra Hill — England: 3.3% South Nowra — England: 3.1%
India 0.4% / 4.4%
Nowra Hill — India: 0.4% South Nowra — India: 4.4%
New Zealand 2.0% / 1.0%
Nowra Hill — New Zealand: 2.0% South Nowra — New Zealand: 1.0%
Philippines 0.4% / 1.3%
Nowra Hill — Philippines: 0.4% South Nowra — Philippines: 1.3%
Nepal — / 0.7%
Nowra Hill — Nepal: not among its largest South Nowra — Nepal: 0.7%
Vietnam 0.4% / —
Nowra Hill — Vietnam: 0.4% South Nowra — Vietnam: not among its largest

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (4.4%).

What people live in

Occupied private dwellings by structure, 2021 Census.

Nowra Hill 96.3% houses
Nowra Hill — Houses: 96.3% Nowra Hill — Townhouses: 0.0% Nowra Hill — Flats / Apartments: 3.7%
South Nowra 88.6% houses
South Nowra — Houses: 88.6% South Nowra — Townhouses: 9.7% South Nowra — Flats / Apartments: 1.7%
Houses Townhouses Flats / Apartments

Property market

Nowra Hill South Nowra
Median house price $1,342,500 $850,000
Median unit price — $718,000
Median land price $1,213,750 $470,000
Typical days to sell (houses) 64 days
from 6 sales
 38 days
from 46 sales

Zoning mix

Nowra Hill has more rural and farming land (57% vs 1%); South Nowra has more industrially zoned land (42% vs 2%).

Nowra Hill South Nowra
Rural and farming 57% 1%
Industrial 2% 42%
Infrastructure and transport 22% 4%
Residential 13% 20%
Environmental 5% 19%
Parks and recreation 1% 15%
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

Nowra Hill South Nowra
New dwellings approved 854
across Shoalhaven
same for both
Approvals change year on year -10%
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.

Nowra Hill South Nowra
Houses — 3.6%
$605/wk on $880K
Units —
same for both

Ranking within NSW

Nowra Hill South Nowra
House price Higher than 68% of NSW Higher than 38% of NSW
Income Higher than 67% of NSW Higher than 60% of NSW
Schools —
same for both
Walkability Higher than 70% of NSW Higher than 82% of NSW
Affordability Higher than 43% of NSW Higher than 71% of NSW
EV adoption Higher than 53% of NSW Higher than 45% of NSW
NBN connectivity Higher than 67% of NSW Higher than 96% of NSW
Rental yield (houses) — Higher than 49% of NSW

Liveability

South Nowra is more walkable (52 vs 21); Nowra Hill scores higher overall (46 vs 30).

Nowra Hill South Nowra
Grade C D
Score 46/100 30/100
Socio-economic band mid-range socio-economic
decile 6/10
 mid-range socio-economic
decile 5/10

Risk profile

South Nowra carries more crime risk (88 vs 30); South Nowra carries more bushfire risk (69 vs 44).

Nowra Hill South Nowra
Bushfire Moderate
44/100
 Moderate
69/100
Crime Low
30/100
 High
88/100
Flood Not mapped
no mapped data here
same for both
Coastal erosion None
0/100
same for both
Aircraft noise High
91/100
 None
0/100
Industrial facilities nearby 6
within 5 km
 5
within 5 km

Schools

Nowra Hill South Nowra
Inside the suburb 2 1
Rated above peers 0
same for both
Rated at peers 1
same for both
Rated below peers 1 0

Schools in Nowra Hill

  • Nowra Hill Public School Government · Primary at peers
  • William Campbell College Independent · Combined · Special school below peers

Schools in South Nowra

  • Nowra Christian School Independent · Combined at peers

Amenities in the suburb

Nowra Hill South Nowra
Cafes & restaurants 0 2
Parks & reserves 0 2
Childcare 1 7
Pharmacies 0 1
Banks & Bank@Post 3 0
Fuel stations 0 5
Waterways 17 4

Mobility

Nowra Hill sits further from the CBD (171.3 km vs 165.5 km).

Nowra Hill South Nowra
Walkability score 21/100 52/100
Distance to Sydney 171.3 km
+3% vs other
 165.5 km
Drive time (normal traffic) 143 min 136 min
Public transport score 30/100
Bus
 60/100
Bus
Peak arrivals per hour 9.2
7-9am + 5-7pm
 21.8
7-9am + 5-7pm
Median peak wait 2 min
scheduled, not actual
 1 min
scheduled, not actual
Electric vehicle share 0.5%
postcode 2540
 0.4%
postcode 2541
Rooftop solar per 100 dwellings 44
postcode 2540
 44
postcode 2541

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.

Nowra Hill South Nowra
Car (driver) 71.3% / 83.8%
Nowra Hill — Car (driver): 71.3% South Nowra — Car (driver): 83.8%
Worked from Home 10.5% / 8.9%
Nowra Hill — Worked from Home: 10.5% South Nowra — Worked from Home: 8.9%
Car (passenger) 6.2% / 5.3%
Nowra Hill — Car (passenger): 6.2% South Nowra — Car (passenger): 5.3%
Walked Only 9.1% / 1.3%
Nowra Hill — Walked Only: 9.1% South Nowra — Walked Only: 1.3%
Bicycle 2.9% / 0.2%
Nowra Hill — Bicycle: 2.9% South Nowra — Bicycle: 0.2%
Train — / 0.2%
Nowra Hill — Train: not among its largest South Nowra — Train: 0.2%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (83.8%).

Setting

Nowra Hill South Nowra
Elevation 105 m
above sea level, at the suburb centre
 37 m
above sea level, at the suburb centre
Distance to the ocean 14.6 km 12.0 km

NBN connectivity

Nowra Hill South Nowra
Connectivity score 51/100 95/100
Most common technology Fixed wireless Fibre to the premises
Full-fibre (FTTP) share 20%
546 premises
 89%
2,255 premises

Council rates

Nowra Hill South Nowra
Average residential rate $1,501/yr
same for both
Council Shoalhaven
same for both

Federal electorate

Nowra Hill South Nowra
Division Gilmore
same for both
Member Fiona Phillips
same for both
Party Australian Labor Party
same for both

First Home Owner Grant

Nowra Hill South Nowra
Grant amount $10,000
same for both
Property price cap $600,000
same for both
Eligibility New
same for both

Tags

Nowra Hill

Acreage Multicultural

South Nowra

Acreage Family Quiet

More comparisons

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Nowra Hill vs Falls Creek Nowra Hill vs Parma Nowra Hill vs Mundamia

Other comparisons with South Nowra

South Nowra vs Nowra South Nowra vs Worrigee South Nowra vs West Nowra South Nowra vs Mundamia
Full data on Nowra Hill Full data on South Nowra
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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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