While we don’t love the term poorest suburb in Sydney, there are a few statistics showing us that there’s less advantaged areas in the NSW capital.
According to a 2021 Australian taxation office, some high-income neighbourhoods in Sydney harbour received weekly medians above $1,500. However, the poorest suburbs like Fairfield city council and Cabramatta had the lowest median weekly income under $500.
The disadvantaged areas of Sydney also offer relatively affordable housing under a whopping $1,087,376 median property price. This is pulled up by the most expensive suburbs in Sydney like Vaucluse and Point Piper.
Although the housing market is declining, the recent elevation of national dwelling values up to +28.6% has made quite a difference.
However, no need to worry. You can still find cheap suburbs to rent in Sydney and cheap suburbs to live. Sydney is an enormous city and you can still buy property at affordable house prices in the west and southwest of it.
Since there is no single poorest suburb in Sydney, we will look at several disadvantaged suburbs in New South Wales offering houses with numerous facilities at low costs.
In this article, we aim to provide an objective analysis of certain suburbs in Sydney based on specific criteria such as unemployment rate, average income, infrastructure, education levels, and crime rates.
It’s essential to understand that these factors are just a few of many that can influence a suburb’s socio-economic status. Our intention is not to label or stigmatize any area but rather to offer insights based on available data.
Every suburb has its unique strengths and challenges, and this analysis is merely a snapshot of certain aspects. We encourage readers to approach this information with an open mind and a holistic perspective.
The poorest suburbs in Sydney
Fairfield
- Median House Price: $940,000
- Median House Unit: $430,000
- Median Rent: $2,621
Fairfield has a lower unemployment rate than the rest of greater Sydney, sitting at 8.7% compared to Sydney’s 5.1%.
An ABS study from 2021 found that the median household income in Fairfield was $1,092 per week compared to Sydney’s $1,583 per week.
However, living in this suburb has its advantages. Fairfield is one of the walkable Sydney suburbs that merges both European and Asian cultures.
Moreover, you can easily walk to cafes, stores, restaurants, and bars here. The locals love “Brenta’s Meats” and “Cardmone’s Supermarket” for their fresh fruits, vegetables, and meat.
While walking down the road, you can come across Fairfield park where professional soccer teams play. The best quality of this suburb is Yarra Bend Park, which offers picnic spots, hiking, a golf course, and a boat house. Altogether, if you want to reside in an affordable and beautiful suburb near Sydney, Fairfield fits the bill.
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Carramar
- Median House Price: $872,500
- Median House Unit: $345,000
- Median Rent: $2,200
The median household income in Carramar is also lower than the Sydney average. In 2021, the median household income in Carramar was $1,073 per week, compared to $1780 per week for Sydney as a whole.
While the friendly suburb is located 30 kilometres west of the Sydney central business district, the infrastructure is relatively reliable.
The eateries and shopping centres are also within walking distance. Moreover, there are well-maintained parks and cycle paths for both kids and adults. As per stats, Carramar is a safe suburb to raise a family with the lowest crime rates.
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Cabramatta
- Median House Price: $1,056,000
- Median House Unit: $410,000
- Median Rent: $1,920
Cabramatta is situated in the southwest of Sydney. Although the suburb had overflowing crime rates back in the 1990s, it has bounced back since then. Even between the years of 2019-2021, the number of crimes per year was at around 4,500. But in 2022, it dropped to around 3,500.
A large part of Cabramatta’s population is from Vietnam and thus it is called “Little Vietnam.”
Some of its streets even reflect the Asian lifestyle. Other amenities in Cabramatta include a train station, banks, great schools, and grocery stores. The safe environment and provision of these amenities are what appeal to the families.
You can also find several three to four-story apartment buildings, single-family houses, and big mansions here. The suburb is also home to cheap and tasty restaurants. Moreover, you can sign up yourself for a food tour of the area.
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Campsie
- Median House Price: $1,481,000
- Median House Unit: $610,000
- Median Rent: $2,400
The unemployment rate in Campsie is significantly higher than the Sydney average. In 2021, the unemployment rate in Campsie was 8.1%, compared to 5.1% for Sydney as a whole.
The median household income in Campsie is also lower than the Sydney average. In 2021, the median household income in Campsie was $1250 per week, compared to $1780 per week for Sydney as a whole.
On the other hand, Campsie is just as amazing as the eastern suburbs, which are the richest in terms of landscapes. The train station of Campsie also has frequent services compared to other suburbs.
Furthermore, the lively Sydney suburb is fully furnished with general amenities. Campsie offers several dining options in nearby restaurants with Asian, Chinese, and Korean cuisine. The residents also have easy access to grocery stores, supermarkets, bakeries, and fish stores on foot.
Moreover, you can choose a house from a wide range of diverse housing options covering different budget levels.
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People also ask
What are the worst suburbs in Sydney?
While a suburb can be worse off for many reasons, the worst suburbs in Sydney are often the highest in crime. Blacktown and Penrith are amongst the worst suburbs in Sydney, with crimes like burglary and assault topping the list.
What are the poorest suburbs in Sydney?
As per the Australian Taxation Office, there are many disadvantaged areas in Sydney including Blacktown, Fairfield, Carramar, Auburn, Parramatta, Campsie, Cabramatta, and others.
What is the cheapest area to live in Sydney?
Blacktown is the cheapest suburb to live in in Sydney with a median house price of $913,500 and a median house unit of $510,000. While Emerton and Fairfield remain the second and third cheapest suburbs.
What is the richest suburb in Sydney?
Sydney’s wealthiest neighbourhood is called Point Piper. The median house price is $12 million and $1.25 million price for apartments. Many richest suburbs are in the eastern suburbs, Lower north, and neighbouring suburbs.
