Westmead vs Parramatta

In both, most households rent and the large majority of homes are flats or apartments. In Westmead, about half of households are couple families. Parramatta is closer to the city centre: 23.4 km, against 26.2 km. On these figures, Westmead tends to suit families with children and couples, while Parramatta suits young adults and share households.

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

Parramatta

ahead on 3 of the 6 things we measure here

  • has more childcare (25 vs 12)
  • has more schools rated above their peers (4 vs 2)
  • has more parks and reserves (30 vs 15)
  • But Westmead carries lower crime risk (73/100 vs 95/100)

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

First-home buyers

Parramatta

ahead on the one thing that separates them

  • has cheaper houses ($1,560,000 vs $1,800,000)

Weighs house prices, unit prices, and mortgage stress.

Renters

Too close to call

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

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

Commuting to the city

Parramatta

ahead on the one thing that separates them

  • sits closer to the CBD (23.4 km vs 26.2 km)

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

Downsizers and retirees

They split

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

  • Westmead carries lower crime risk (73/100 vs 95/100)
  • Parramatta has more GPs (10 vs 8)

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

Investors

Parramatta

ahead on the one thing that separates them

  • is growing faster (17.1% vs 1.5%)

Weighs house yield, unit yield, and population growth.

Where they sit

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

Westmead Parramatta
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.

Westmead Parramatta
Walkability 96 / 100
Westmead — Walkability: 96/100 Parramatta — Walkability: 100/100
Safety 27 / 5
Westmead — Safety: 27/100 Parramatta — Safety: 5/100
Low fire risk 100 / 100
Westmead — Low fire risk: 100/100 Parramatta — Low fire risk: 100/100

Demographics

Parramatta has more residents (30,211 vs 16,555).

Westmead Parramatta
Population 16,555 30,211
+82% vs other
Population trend (2016 → 2021) +1.5% +17.1%
Median age 33 32
Median household income $111,488/yr
+2% vs other
 $108,784/yr
Median weekly rent $410/wk $440/wk
+7% vs other

Age profile

Share of residents in each band, 2021 Census.

Westmead Parramatta
0-4 8.0% / 7.3%
Westmead — 0-4: 8.0% Parramatta — 0-4: 7.3%
5-14 13.0% / 9.0%
Westmead — 5-14: 13.0% Parramatta — 5-14: 9.0%
15-19 3.2% / 2.4%
Westmead — 15-19: 3.2% Parramatta — 15-19: 2.4%
20-24 6.4% / 8.7%
Westmead — 20-24: 6.4% Parramatta — 20-24: 8.7%
25-34 23.4% / 31.3%
Westmead — 25-34: 23.4% Parramatta — 25-34: 31.3%
35-44 22.8% / 21.4%
Westmead — 35-44: 22.8% Parramatta — 35-44: 21.4%
45-54 8.2% / 7.3%
Westmead — 45-54: 8.2% Parramatta — 45-54: 7.3%
55-64 6.3% / 6.0%
Westmead — 55-64: 6.3% Parramatta — 55-64: 6.0%
65-74 4.6% / 4.1%
Westmead — 65-74: 4.6% Parramatta — 65-74: 4.1%
75-84 2.8% / 1.9%
Westmead — 75-84: 2.8% Parramatta — 75-84: 1.9%
85+ 1.3% / 0.6%
Westmead — 85+: 1.3% Parramatta — 85+: 0.6%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (31.3%).

Who lives together

Household composition, 2021 Census.

Westmead 52.3% couple families
Westmead — Couple Families: 52.3% Westmead — Lone Person: 28.8% Westmead — Group Household: 7.5% Westmead — One Parent Families: 9.0% Westmead — Other Families: 2.4%
Parramatta 39.4% couple families
Parramatta — Couple Families: 39.4% Parramatta — Lone Person: 34.7% Parramatta — Group Household: 13.6% Parramatta — One Parent Families: 9.1% Parramatta — Other Families: 3.2%
Couple Families Lone Person Group Household One Parent Families Other Families

Who owns and who rents

Occupied private dwellings by tenure, 2021 Census.

Westmead 70.4% renting
Westmead — Owned Outright: 9.9% Westmead — Mortgage: 19.7% Westmead — Renting: 70.4%
Parramatta 71.8% renting
Parramatta — Owned Outright: 9.8% Parramatta — Mortgage: 18.4% Parramatta — Renting: 71.8%
Owned outright Mortgage Renting

Qualifications

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

Westmead Parramatta
Bachelor Degree 24.5% / 26.9%
Westmead — Bachelor Degree: 24.5% Parramatta — Bachelor Degree: 26.9%
Postgraduate Degree 18.0% / 17.1%
Westmead — Postgraduate Degree: 18.0% Parramatta — Postgraduate Degree: 17.1%
Advanced Diploma / Diploma 5.4% / 6.9%
Westmead — Advanced Diploma / Diploma: 5.4% Parramatta — Advanced Diploma / Diploma: 6.9%
Certificate III & IV 3.8% / 4.5%
Westmead — Certificate III & IV: 3.8% Parramatta — Certificate III & IV: 4.5%
Graduate Diploma / Certificate 1.8% / 1.8%
Westmead — Graduate Diploma / Certificate: 1.8% Parramatta — Graduate Diploma / Certificate: 1.8%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (26.9%).

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.

Westmead Parramatta
India 38.1% / 30.9%
Westmead — India: 38.1% Parramatta — India: 30.9%
China 3.9% / 8.9%
Westmead — China: 3.9% Parramatta — China: 8.9%
Nepal 3.4% / 5.5%
Westmead — Nepal: 3.4% Parramatta — Nepal: 5.5%
Philippines 2.2% / 2.5%
Westmead — Philippines: 2.2% Parramatta — Philippines: 2.5%
Sri Lanka 2.8% / —
Westmead — Sri Lanka: 2.8% Parramatta — Sri Lanka: not among its largest
Iran — / 1.3%
Westmead — Iran: not among its largest Parramatta — Iran: 1.3%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (38.1%).

What people live in

Occupied private dwellings by structure, 2021 Census.

Westmead 76.2% flats / apartments
Westmead — Flats / Apartments: 76.2% Westmead — Houses: 15.0% Westmead — Townhouses: 8.9%
Parramatta 86.7% flats / apartments
Parramatta — Flats / Apartments: 86.7% Parramatta — Houses: 7.7% Parramatta — Townhouses: 5.7%
Flats / Apartments Houses Townhouses

Property market

Westmead Parramatta
Median house price $1,800,000 $1,560,000
Median unit price $585,000 $620,000
Median land price —
same for both
Typical days to sell (houses) 24 days
from 39 sales
 24 days
from 34 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.

Westmead Parramatta
2 bed $711K / $735K
Westmead — 2 bed: $711K (15 sales) Parramatta — 2 bed: $735K (13 sales)

15 vs 13 sales

3 bed $1.85M / $1.66M
Westmead — 3 bed: $1.85M (8 sales) Parramatta — 3 bed: $1.66M (25 sales)

8 vs 25 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.

Westmead Parramatta
1 bed $480K / $497K
Westmead — 1 bed: $480K (40 sales) Parramatta — 1 bed: $497K (143 sales)

40 vs 143 sales

2 bed $585K / $630K
Westmead — 2 bed: $585K (303 sales) Parramatta — 2 bed: $630K (507 sales)

303 vs 507 sales

3 bed $745K / $821K
Westmead — 3 bed: $745K (41 sales) Parramatta — 3 bed: $821K (90 sales)

41 vs 90 sales

Zoning mix

Westmead Parramatta
Residential 65% 53%
Infrastructure and transport 29% 11%
Parks and recreation 3% 24%
Commercial 0% 6%
Environmental 1% 4%
Industrial 1% 2%
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

Westmead Parramatta
New dwellings approved 1,756
across Cumberland
 2,888
across Parramatta
Approvals change year on year -28% +154%

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.

Westmead Parramatta
Houses 2.5%
$720/wk on $1.47M
 2.4%
$748/wk on $1.65M
Units 5.5%
$640/wk on $600K
 5.9%
$700/wk on $620K

Ranking within NSW

Westmead Parramatta
House price Higher than 85% of NSW Higher than 80% of NSW
Income Higher than 77% of NSW Higher than 74% of NSW
Schools Higher than 48% of NSW Higher than 80% of NSW
Walkability Higher than 99% of NSW Higher than 100% of NSW
Affordability Higher than 22% of NSW Higher than 31% of NSW
EV adoption Higher than 84% of NSW Higher than 91% of NSW
NBN connectivity Higher than 87% of NSW Higher than 85% of NSW
Rental yield (houses) Higher than 8% of NSW Higher than 5% of NSW
Rental yield (units) Higher than 87% of NSW Higher than 92% of NSW

Liveability

Parramatta scores higher overall (72 vs 67).

Westmead Parramatta
Grade B A
Score 67/100 72/100
Socio-economic band very advantaged area
decile 9/10
same for both

Risk profile

Parramatta carries more crime risk (95 vs 73).

Westmead Parramatta
Bushfire None
0/100
same for both
Crime High
73/100
 High
95/100
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 15
within 5 km
 19
within 5 km

Schools

Westmead Parramatta
Inside the suburb 9 10
Rated above peers 2 4
Rated at peers 1 2
Rated below peers 3 2
Universities within 10 km 2
Western Sydney University - Parramatta, 2.0 km
 3
Western Sydney University - Parramatta, 0.0 km
Full-time students aged 15–24 3.1% 3.8%

Schools in Westmead

  • Catherine McAuley Westmead Catholic · Secondary above peers
  • Parramatta Marist High School Catholic · Secondary above peers
  • Mother Teresa Primary School Catholic · Primary at peers
  • Sacred Heart Primary School Catholic · Primary below peers
  • Westmead Christian Grammar School Independent · Primary below peers
  • Westmead Public School Government · Primary below peers

Schools in Parramatta

  • Macarthur Girls High School Government · Secondary above peers
  • Our Lady of Mercy College Parramatta Independent · Secondary above peers
  • Parramatta High School Government · Secondary above peers
  • St Patrick's Primary School Catholic · Primary above peers
  • Arthur Phillip High School Government · Secondary at peers
  • Parramatta West Public School Government · Primary at peers

Amenities in the suburb

Westmead Parramatta
Supermarkets 2 14
Cafes & restaurants 16 180
Parks & reserves 15 30
Childcare 12 25
GPs 8 10
Pharmacies 5 9
Hospitals 3 0
Police stations 0 1
Banks & Bank@Post 1 21
Fuel stations 1 2
Waterways 4 18

Mobility

Westmead sits further from the CBD (26.2 km vs 23.4 km).

Westmead Parramatta
Walkability score 96/100 100/100
Distance to Sydney 26.2 km
+11% vs other
 23.4 km
Drive time (normal traffic) 28 min 27 min
Public transport score 93/100
Rail · Tram · Bus
 94/100
Rail · Tram · Bus · Ferry
Peak arrivals per hour 380.0
7-9am + 5-7pm
 1024.0
7-9am + 5-7pm
Median peak wait 0 min
scheduled, not actual
same for both
Electric vehicle share 1.1%
postcode 2145
 1.7%
postcode 2150
Rooftop solar per 100 dwellings 27
postcode 2145
 3
postcode 2150

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.

Westmead Parramatta
Worked from Home 52.8% / 56.9%
Westmead — Worked from Home: 52.8% Parramatta — Worked from Home: 56.9%
Car (driver) 26.3% / 22.3%
Westmead — Car (driver): 26.3% Parramatta — Car (driver): 22.3%
Train 10.0% / 10.7%
Westmead — Train: 10.0% Parramatta — Train: 10.7%
Walked Only 5.9% / 4.3%
Westmead — Walked Only: 5.9% Parramatta — Walked Only: 4.3%
Bus 1.8% / 3.4%
Westmead — Bus: 1.8% Parramatta — Bus: 3.4%
Car (passenger) 2.9% / 2.1%
Westmead — Car (passenger): 2.9% Parramatta — Car (passenger): 2.1%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (56.9%).

Setting

Westmead Parramatta
Elevation 38 m
above sea level, at the suburb centre
 26 m
above sea level, at the suburb centre
Distance to the ocean 22.7 km 20.9 km

NBN connectivity

Westmead Parramatta
Connectivity score 77/100 76/100
Most common technology Hybrid fibre-coaxial Fibre to the premises
Full-fibre (FTTP) share 12%
7,076 premises
 31%
19,356 premises

Climate

Westmead Parramatta
Annual rainfall 1,021 mm
same for both
Summer max (Jan) 28.4°C
same for both
Winter min (Jul) 7.2°C
same for both

Air quality (annual mean)

Westmead Parramatta
PM2.5 6.1 µg/m³
same for both
PM10 16.9 µg/m³
same for both
NO₂ 0.83 pphm
same for both

Council rates

Westmead Parramatta
Average residential rate $1,038/yr $1,103/yr
Council Cumberland Parramatta

Federal electorate

Westmead Parramatta
Division Parramatta
same for both
Member Andrew Charlton
same for both
Party Australian Labor Party
same for both

First Home Owner Grant

Westmead Parramatta
Grant amount $10,000
same for both
Property price cap $600,000
same for both
Eligibility New
same for both

Tags

Westmead

Affordable Apartments Easy Commute Multicultural Outer Parks Professionals River Trams Transport Hub Urban

Parramatta

Affordable Apartments Cafe Culture Easy Commute Middle-Ring Multicultural Nightlife Parks Professionals River Trams Transport Hub Urban

More comparisons

Other comparisons with Westmead

Westmead vs Merrylands Westmead vs Wentworthville Westmead vs North Parramatta Westmead vs Northmead Westmead vs South Wentworthville Westmead vs Mays Hill

Other comparisons with Parramatta

Parramatta vs Merrylands Parramatta vs Granville Parramatta vs North Parramatta Parramatta vs Rydalmere Parramatta vs Oatlands Parramatta vs Harris Park
Full data on Westmead Full data on Parramatta
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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