Suburb comparison
Redfern vs Waterloo: which Sydney suburb suits you?
The key differences: Redfern commands a $228K premium on median property price over Waterloo; Redfern is $261/wk cheaper per week to rent; Waterloo has more schools within the postcode. The table below covers all available metrics.
Last refreshed May 2026 (most cards). Per-card sources show exact dates.
City of Sydney
Redfern
2016
City of Sydney
Waterloo
2017
Side-by-side comparison
| Metric | Redfern | Waterloo |
|---|---|---|
SAFETYSafety Redfern leads on 1 of 1 | ||
| Sub-grade | C+▲(0) | C(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 | 0 | 2▲ |
FINANCEFinance Redfern leads on 2 of 2 | ||
| Sub-grade | B-▲(0) | B-(0) |
| Median house price | $1.91M | $1.68M |
| Median unit price | $1.07M | $929K |
| Median weekly rent | $789/wk | $1050/wk |
| Annual price growth | +7.3%▲ | -0.4% |
LIFESTYLELifestyle Redfern leads on 1 of 1 | ||
| Sub-grade | A-▲(1) | B+(1) |
| Walkability percentile | 95 | 95 |
Median prices show levels, not better-or-worse for a buyer. See the suburb pages for context.
Which suits you?
Choose Redfern if...
- Redfern leads on Safety, Finance, Lifestyle
- You are renting first and want lower weekly outgoings
Tied on Family.
Choose Waterloo if...
- You want a lower entry price for a house
- School options within walking distance matter
Tied on Family.
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Common questions
- Is Redfern or Waterloo more expensive?
- Redfern has the higher median house price ($1.91M) compared with $1.68M in Waterloo.
- Which is better for renters — Redfern or Waterloo?
- Median weekly rent is $789/wk in Redfern and $1050/wk in Waterloo, making Redfern the more affordable rental market.
- Is Redfern or Waterloo 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 Redfern vs Waterloo?
- Redfern has 0 schools in the postcode, and Waterloo has 2. Note that school catchments can extend across postcode boundaries.
Full suburb profiles