Get a property report and suburb profile for any property in Fairfield

Fairfield is a bustling, multicultural suburb in Sydney's west centred on a compact commercial strip and civic precinct. Long-established migrant communities have shaped a lively dining scene of Asian and Middle Eastern eateries alongside family-run shops and supermarkets. Residential streets mix weatherboard and brick cottages with mid-century unit blocks and newer townhouses, so housing feels predominantly low-rise and practical. The suburb is anchored by its railway station and a busy bus interchange, and local parks, sporting fields and community facilities provide everyday recreation.

The community of 18,596 has a median age of 40 and a median household income of $1,092 a week. Couple families with children are the largest family group, and most homes are rented (59.6%) while owner-occupied dwellings total 40.3%. A major $630 million Fairfield Hospital redevelopment is under way, and recent local upgrades include a completed Crescent streetscape project and a reopened Nelson Park with a 25-metre flying fox, climbing structures and fitness equipment. Whether Fairfield suits you comes down to the kind of housing, transport links and everyday services you want close at hand.

Housing costs in Fairfield (2165) sit high compared with what a typical local household earned at the last Census. With a median household income of $1,092 a week (about $56,784 a year at the last Census), the average house rent of $673 a week would take roughly 61.6% of that weekly income and the average unit rent of $520 a week about 47.6% — both are a large share of income. Buying looks especially stretched: the median house price of $1,370,000 is about 24.1 times a typical local annual household income at the last Census, while the median unit price of $485,000 is about 8.5 times. On these figures, both renting and buying sit well above local incomes, with house buying particularly far above what people locally earned at the last Census; whether that feels expensive depends on your own income and circumstances.

Everyone's financial situation is different, so it's important to consider your own circumstances when deciding which suburb is right for you.

The past year shows a split between capital growth and rental growth in Fairfield. Median house values climbed 14.7% and unit values rose 11.6%, both strong increases in what properties are worth. Rents moved differently: house rents rose a modest 3.5% while unit rents jumped 14.3%, a strong rise.

Put another way, house price growth outpaced the rental income lift for houses over the year, while units saw rents increase faster than their values. If rental income is your priority, the unit figures are the ones to watch; if capital growth matters more, the house value change is the relevant number. Whether that balance suits your goals depends on your own circumstances.

This information has been prepared without taking your objectives, needs and overall financial situation into account. It is not meant to be a substitute for professional financial advice. For this reason, you should consider the appropriateness of the information and, if necessary, seek appropriate professional advice.