Suburb comparison
Annandale vs Balmain: which Sydney suburb suits you?
The key differences: Balmain commands a $70K premium on median property price over Annandale; Annandale is $51/wk cheaper per week to rent; Balmain has more schools within the postcode. The table below covers all available metrics.
Last refreshed April 2026 (most cards). Per-card sources show exact dates.
Inner West
Annandale
2038
Inner West
Balmain
2041
Side-by-side comparison
| Metric | Annandale | Balmain |
|---|---|---|
SAFETYSafety Annandale leads on 1 of 1 | ||
| Sub-grade | B▲(0) | B-(0) |
| Flood zone coverage | — | — |
| Bushfire zone coverage | 0.0% | 0.0% |
FAMILYFamily Even (1 each) | ||
| Sub-grade | B▲(0) | B(0) |
| SEIFA advantage decile | 10/10 | 10/10 |
| Schools in postcode | 2 | 3▲ |
FINANCEFinance Even (1 each) | ||
| Sub-grade | B-(0) | B-▲(0) |
| Median house price | $2.35M | $2.42M |
| Median unit price | $984K | $1.45M |
| Median weekly rent | $799/wk | $850/wk |
| Annual price growth | +6.6%▲ | -3.7% |
LIFESTYLELifestyle Annandale leads on 2 of 2 | ||
| Sub-grade | B▲(1) | B-(0) |
| Walkability percentile | 80▲ | 62 |
Median prices show levels, not better-or-worse for a buyer. See the suburb pages for context.
Which suits you?
Choose Annandale if...
- Annandale leads on Safety, Lifestyle
- You want a lower entry price for a house
- You are renting first and want lower weekly outgoings
Tied on Family, Finance.
Choose Balmain if...
- School options within walking distance matter
Tied on Family, Finance.
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Common questions
- Is Annandale or Balmain more expensive?
- Balmain has the higher median house price ($2.42M) compared with $2.35M in Annandale.
- Which is better for renters — Annandale or Balmain?
- Median weekly rent is $799/wk in Annandale and $850/wk in Balmain, making Annandale the more affordable rental market.
- Is Annandale or Balmain at higher flood risk?
- Flood mapping coverage varies by postcode — see the flood risk pages for both suburbs for authoritative NSW data.
- How many schools are in Annandale vs Balmain?
- Annandale has 2 schools in the postcode, and Balmain has 3. Note that school catchments can extend across postcode boundaries.
Full suburb profiles