Suburb comparison
Balmain vs Leichhardt: which Sydney suburb suits you?
The key differences: Balmain commands a $470K premium on median property price over Leichhardt; Leichhardt 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
Balmain
2041
Inner West
Leichhardt
2040
Side-by-side comparison
| Metric | Balmain | Leichhardt |
|---|---|---|
SAFETYSafety Balmain 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 | 3 | 4▲ |
FINANCEFinance Leichhardt leads on 2 of 2 | ||
| Sub-grade | B-(0) | B-▲(0) |
| Median house price | $2.42M | $1.95M |
| Median unit price | $1.45M | $992K |
| Median weekly rent | $850/wk | $808/wk |
| Annual price growth | -3.7% | +2.6%▲ |
LIFESTYLELifestyle Leichhardt leads on 2 of 2 | ||
| Sub-grade | B-(0) | B-▲(0) |
| Walkability percentile | 62 | 65▲ |
Median prices show levels, not better-or-worse for a buyer. See the suburb pages for context.
Which suits you?
Choose Balmain if...
- Balmain leads on Safety
Tied on Family.
Choose Leichhardt if...
- Leichhardt leads on Finance, Lifestyle
- You want a lower entry price for a house
- You are renting first and want lower weekly outgoings
- School options within walking distance matter
Tied on Family.
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Common questions
- Is Balmain or Leichhardt more expensive?
- Balmain has the higher median house price ($2.42M) compared with $1.95M in Leichhardt.
- Which is better for renters — Balmain or Leichhardt?
- Median weekly rent is $850/wk in Balmain and $808/wk in Leichhardt, making Leichhardt the more affordable rental market.
- Is Balmain or Leichhardt 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 Balmain vs Leichhardt?
- Balmain has 3 schools in the postcode, and Leichhardt has 4. Note that school catchments can extend across postcode boundaries.
Full suburb profiles