Question 1

Is Redfern a nice place to live?

Accepted Answer

Redfern sits just south of the CBD as an inner-city suburb where old industrial buildings meet dense urban living. The area is centred on Redfern Station and Redfern Park and includes a notable Indigenous community alongside long-term residents and students from the nearby University of Sydney. Streets mix Victorian terraces, workers' cottages and converted warehouses with newer apartment blocks, and cultural life is visible in Carriageworks, galleries, weekend markets and a busy café scene. Good public transport and nearby green space give Redfern a close-in city feel and a distinct local character.

About 13,072 people live in Redfern and the median age is 36. Housing leans heavily towards renting, with around 63.8% of dwellings rented and owner-occupiers about 36.1%, and the median household income is $2,145 a week. Recent transport upgrades at the station and ongoing precinct renewal and housing projects have added accessibility and new community facilities, including affordable Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander housing and student accommodation. That mix tends to suit people after inner-city convenience, culture and public transport; whether it fits you depends on what you want from a suburb.

Question 2

Is it expensive to live in Redfern?

Accepted Answer

Housing costs in Redfern sit well above what local households earned at the last Census. A median house price of $2,105,000 is about 18.9 times a typical local annual household income at the last Census (weekly household income $2,145 × 52 = $111,540). The median unit price of $950,000 is about 8.5 times that annual income, which is also well above local incomes.

On a weekly basis, average house rent of $1,100 would take about 51.3% of a typical local household's weekly income at the last Census, a large share, while average unit rent of $835 would take about 38.9%, a sizeable share. If you plan to rent rather than buy, the rent share is the most relevant number; if buying, the price multiples show how far prices sit above local incomes 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.

Question 3

Is Redfern a good place to invest?

Accepted Answer

Redfern's house and unit markets moved in different directions over the past 12 months. Median house values climbed 13.2%, a strong rise, while median unit values fell 7.1%, a notable decline.

Unit rents rose 4.4% over the year, a modest gain. Put simply, the house side has been the stronger performer for capital growth this year, while units lost value even as the rent they earn edged up. Whether that mix of capital growth and rental movement suits your investment aims depends on the balance you want between price growth and rental income.

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.

	Houses	Units
Median price Past 3 months	$2.10M	$950K
Change in value Past 12 months	13.2%	-7.1%
Sold Past 3 months	29	49
Median days on market Past 12 months	54	37
Average rent Past 12 months	$1100	$835
Change in rent Past 12 months	N/A	4.4%

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