West Pymble vs Macquarie Park

Macquarie Park is the younger of the two, with a median age of 31 against 41 in West Pymble. In West Pymble, the large majority of households own their home, the large majority of homes are detached houses, and most households are couple families. In Macquarie Park, most households rent, the large majority of homes are flats or apartments, and about half of households are people living alone. On these figures, West Pymble tends to suit families with children and couples, while Macquarie Park suits renters, young adults, and people living alone.

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

West Pymble

ahead on 4 of the 6 things we measure here

  • has more separate houses rather than flats (96% vs 0%)
  • carries lower crime risk (17/100 vs 87/100)
  • has more schools rated above their peers (2 vs 0)
  • But Macquarie Park has more childcare (18 vs 8)

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

First-home buyers

West Pymble

ahead on the one thing that separates them

  • leaves households under less mortgage stress (23% vs 29%)

Weighs mortgage stress.

Renters

Macquarie Park

ahead on 2 of the 3 things we measure here

  • has a bigger rental market to choose from (68% vs 10%)
  • has cheaper rent ($460/wk vs $800/wk)

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

Commuting to the city

Macquarie Park

ahead on 2 of the 4 things we measure here

  • gets more of its commuters onto trains and trams (8% vs 2%)
  • is more walkable (90/100 vs 75/100)

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

Downsizers and retirees

Macquarie Park

ahead on 3 of the 5 things we measure here

  • has more units and townhouses to downsize into (100% vs 4%)
  • has more GPs (5 vs 1)
  • is more walkable (90/100 vs 75/100)
  • But West Pymble carries lower crime risk (17/100 vs 87/100)

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

Investors

Macquarie Park

ahead on 2 of the 2 things we measure here

  • is growing faster (35.9% vs 2.7%)
  • returns a higher gross yield on houses (3.5% vs 2.6%)

Weighs house yield and population growth.

Where they sit

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

West Pymble Macquarie Park
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.

West Pymble Macquarie Park
Walkability 75 / 90
West Pymble — Walkability: 75/100 Macquarie Park — Walkability: 90/100
Safety 83 / 13
West Pymble — Safety: 83/100 Macquarie Park — Safety: 13/100
Low fire risk 28 / 33
West Pymble — Low fire risk: 28/100 Macquarie Park — Low fire risk: 33/100

Demographics

Macquarie Park has more residents (11,071 vs 5,441); West Pymble has higher household incomes ($182,156 vs $98,072).

West Pymble Macquarie Park
Population 5,441 11,071
+103% vs other
Population trend (2016 → 2021) +2.7% +35.9%
Median age 41 31
Median household income $182,156/yr
+46% vs other
 $98,072/yr
Median weekly rent $800/wk
+42% vs other
 $460/wk

Age profile

Share of residents in each band, 2021 Census.

West Pymble Macquarie Park
0-4 4.9% / 5.7%
West Pymble — 0-4: 4.9% Macquarie Park — 0-4: 5.7%
5-14 17.3% / 5.5%
West Pymble — 5-14: 17.3% Macquarie Park — 5-14: 5.5%
15-19 7.9% / 4.4%
West Pymble — 15-19: 7.9% Macquarie Park — 15-19: 4.4%
20-24 6.3% / 13.5%
West Pymble — 20-24: 6.3% Macquarie Park — 20-24: 13.5%
25-34 5.4% / 32.8%
West Pymble — 25-34: 5.4% Macquarie Park — 25-34: 32.8%
35-44 13.3% / 18.0%
West Pymble — 35-44: 13.3% Macquarie Park — 35-44: 18.0%
45-54 16.2% / 6.6%
West Pymble — 45-54: 16.2% Macquarie Park — 45-54: 6.6%
55-64 12.6% / 5.0%
West Pymble — 55-64: 12.6% Macquarie Park — 55-64: 5.0%
65-74 8.3% / 4.0%
West Pymble — 65-74: 8.3% Macquarie Park — 65-74: 4.0%
75-84 5.3% / 2.4%
West Pymble — 75-84: 5.3% Macquarie Park — 75-84: 2.4%
85+ 2.6% / 2.3%
West Pymble — 85+: 2.6% Macquarie Park — 85+: 2.3%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (32.8%).

Who lives together

Household composition, 2021 Census.

West Pymble 72.6% couple families
West Pymble — Couple Families: 72.6% West Pymble — Lone Person: 16.5% West Pymble — One Parent Families: 9.9% West Pymble — Group Household: 0.5% West Pymble — Other Families: 0.5%
Macquarie Park 25.1% couple families
Macquarie Park — Couple Families: 25.1% Macquarie Park — Lone Person: 51.0% Macquarie Park — One Parent Families: 9.0% Macquarie Park — Group Household: 11.2% Macquarie Park — Other Families: 3.7%
Couple Families Lone Person One Parent Families Group Household Other Families

Who owns and who rents

Occupied private dwellings by tenure, 2021 Census.

West Pymble 10.5% renting
West Pymble — Owned Outright: 41.2% West Pymble — Mortgage: 48.3% West Pymble — Renting: 10.5%
Macquarie Park 68.0% renting
Macquarie Park — Owned Outright: 10.5% Macquarie Park — Mortgage: 21.5% Macquarie Park — Renting: 68.0%
Owned outright Mortgage Renting

Qualifications

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

West Pymble Macquarie Park
Bachelor Degree 25.0% / 30.3%
West Pymble — Bachelor Degree: 25.0% Macquarie Park — Bachelor Degree: 30.3%
Postgraduate Degree 11.8% / 19.8%
West Pymble — Postgraduate Degree: 11.8% Macquarie Park — Postgraduate Degree: 19.8%
Advanced Diploma / Diploma 6.7% / 6.5%
West Pymble — Advanced Diploma / Diploma: 6.7% Macquarie Park — Advanced Diploma / Diploma: 6.5%
Certificate III & IV 4.6% / 4.0%
West Pymble — Certificate III & IV: 4.6% Macquarie Park — Certificate III & IV: 4.0%
Graduate Diploma / Certificate 3.3% / 1.9%
West Pymble — Graduate Diploma / Certificate: 3.3% Macquarie Park — Graduate Diploma / Certificate: 1.9%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (30.3%).

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.

West Pymble Macquarie Park
China 5.0% / 16.7%
West Pymble — China: 5.0% Macquarie Park — China: 16.7%
India 1.8% / 10.2%
West Pymble — India: 1.8% Macquarie Park — India: 10.2%
England 4.8% / —
West Pymble — England: 4.8% Macquarie Park — England: not among its largest
Philippines — / 3.3%
West Pymble — Philippines: not among its largest Macquarie Park — Philippines: 3.3%
Iran 0.6% / 2.4%
West Pymble — Iran: 0.6% Macquarie Park — Iran: 2.4%
Malaysia 0.8% / 2.0%
West Pymble — Malaysia: 0.8% Macquarie Park — Malaysia: 2.0%
South Africa 1.7% / —
West Pymble — South Africa: 1.7% Macquarie Park — South Africa: not among its largest
New Zealand 1.7% / —
West Pymble — New Zealand: 1.7% Macquarie Park — New Zealand: not among its largest

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (16.7%).

What people live in

Occupied private dwellings by structure, 2021 Census.

West Pymble 96.1% houses
West Pymble — Houses: 96.1% West Pymble — Flats / Apartments: 1.5% West Pymble — Townhouses: 2.3%
Macquarie Park 0.0% houses
Macquarie Park — Houses: 0.0% Macquarie Park — Flats / Apartments: 90.4% Macquarie Park — Townhouses: 9.6%
Houses Flats / Apartments Townhouses

Property market

West Pymble Macquarie Park
Median house price $2,760,000 —
Median unit price — $825,000
Median land price —
same for both
Typical days to sell (houses) 26 days
from 32 sales
 —

Zoning mix

West Pymble has more land zoned for conservation (41% vs 23%).

West Pymble Macquarie Park
Residential 49% 31%
Environmental 41% 23%
Infrastructure and transport 3% 24%
Industrial 0% 10%
Commercial 1% 9%
Parks and recreation 6% 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

West Pymble Macquarie Park
New dwellings approved 908
across Ku-ring-gai
 1,489
across Ryde
Approvals change year on year +0% +81%

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.

West Pymble Macquarie Park
Houses 2.6%
$1,475/wk on $3M
 3.5%
$900/wk on $1.35M
Units — 5.0%
$790/wk on $820K

Ranking within NSW

West Pymble Macquarie Park
House price Higher than 92% of NSW Higher than 31% of NSW
Income Higher than 99% of NSW Higher than 66% of NSW
Schools Higher than 93% of NSW Higher than 25% of NSW
Walkability Higher than 90% of NSW Higher than 96% of NSW
Affordability Higher than 32% of NSW Higher than 79% of NSW
EV adoption Higher than 99% of NSW Higher than 100% of NSW
NBN connectivity Higher than 83% of NSW Higher than 87% of NSW
Rental yield (houses) Higher than 8% of NSW Higher than 43% of NSW
Rental yield (units) — Higher than 68% of NSW

Liveability

West Pymble scores higher overall (79 vs 48); Macquarie Park is more walkable (90 vs 75).

West Pymble Macquarie Park
Grade A C
Score 79/100 48/100
Socio-economic band very advantaged area
decile 10/10
same for both

Risk profile

Macquarie Park carries more crime risk (87 vs 17).

West Pymble Macquarie Park
Bushfire High
72/100
 Moderate
67/100
Crime Low
17/100
 High
87/100
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 1
within 5 km
same for both

Schools

West Pymble Macquarie Park
Inside the suburb 3 4
Rated above peers 2 0
Rated at peers 0 1
Rated below peers 1 0
Universities within 10 km 1
Macquarie University Wallumattagal Campus at North Ryde, 1.8 km
 2
Macquarie University Wallumattagal Campus at North Ryde, 0.0 km
Full-time students aged 15–24 4.8% 11.0%

Schools in West Pymble

  • Gordon West Public School Government · Primary above peers
  • West Pymble Public School Government · Primary above peers
  • Our Lady of Perpetual Succour Catholic Primary School Catholic · Primary below peers

Schools in Macquarie Park

  • NextSense School - Spoken Language Program Independent · Primary · Special school at peers
  • Macquarie University Special Education Centre Independent · Primary · Special school
  • NextSense School Independent · Combined · Special school
  • NextSense School - Sign Bilingual Program Independent · Primary · Special school

Amenities in the suburb

West Pymble Macquarie Park
Supermarkets 1 8
Cafes & restaurants 2 46
Parks & reserves 12 10
Childcare 8 18
GPs 1 5
Pharmacies 0 4
Hospitals 0 1
Banks & Bank@Post 0 8
Fuel stations 1 3
EV chargers 0 5
Waterways 12 20

Mobility

West Pymble Macquarie Park
Walkability score 75/100 90/100
Distance to Sydney 17.7 km
+5% vs other
 16.8 km
Drive time (normal traffic) 21 min 20 min
Public transport score 78/100
Bus
 94/100
Rail · Bus
Peak arrivals per hour 137.8
7-9am + 5-7pm
 1043.2
7-9am + 5-7pm
Median peak wait 0 min
scheduled, not actual
same for both
Electric vehicle share 4.6%
postcode 2073
 5.1%
postcode 2113
Rooftop solar per 100 dwellings 30
postcode 2073
 16
postcode 2113

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.

West Pymble Macquarie Park
Worked from Home 62.7% / 59.0%
West Pymble — Worked from Home: 62.7% Macquarie Park — Worked from Home: 59.0%
Car (driver) 30.8% / 21.3%
West Pymble — Car (driver): 30.8% Macquarie Park — Car (driver): 21.3%
Train 1.9% / 7.9%
West Pymble — Train: 1.9% Macquarie Park — Train: 7.9%
Walked Only 1.7% / 6.8%
West Pymble — Walked Only: 1.7% Macquarie Park — Walked Only: 6.8%
Bus 0.4% / 3.4%
West Pymble — Bus: 0.4% Macquarie Park — Bus: 3.4%
Car (passenger) 2.2% / 1.3%
West Pymble — Car (passenger): 2.2% Macquarie Park — Car (passenger): 1.3%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (62.7%).

Setting

West Pymble Macquarie Park
Elevation 69 m
above sea level, at the suburb centre
 57 m
above sea level, at the suburb centre
Distance to the ocean 12.0 km 11.6 km

NBN connectivity

West Pymble Macquarie Park
Connectivity score 75/100 77/100
Most common technology Hybrid fibre-coaxial Fibre to the premises
Full-fibre (FTTP) share 0%
1,844 premises
 38%
8,729 premises

Climate

West Pymble Macquarie Park
Annual rainfall 1,176 mm
same for both
Summer max (Jan) —
same for both
Winter min (Jul) —
same for both

Air quality (annual mean)

West Pymble Macquarie Park
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

West Pymble Macquarie Park
Average residential rate $1,626/yr $1,216/yr
Council Ku-ring-gai Ryde

Federal electorate

West Pymble Macquarie Park
Division Bradfield Bennelong
Member Nicolette Boele Jerome Laxale
Party Independent Australian Labor Party

First Home Owner Grant

West Pymble Macquarie Park
Grant amount $10,000
same for both
Property price cap $600,000
same for both
Eligibility New
same for both

Tags

West Pymble

Family Large Blocks Middle-Ring Parks Premium Professionals Quiet River

Macquarie Park

Apartments Easy Commute Middle-Ring Multicultural Parks Professionals Transport Hub

More comparisons

Other comparisons with West Pymble

West Pymble vs Turramurra West Pymble vs Pymble West Pymble vs Killara West Pymble vs Gordon West Pymble vs South Turramurra

Other comparisons with Macquarie Park

Macquarie Park vs North Ryde Macquarie Park vs Marsfield Macquarie Park vs Lindfield Macquarie Park vs Killara Macquarie Park vs South Turramurra
Full data on West Pymble Full data on Macquarie Park
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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