Middle Cove vs North Willoughby
The verdict
North Willoughby is more affordable, with a median house price of $3.76M versus $4.33M in Middle Cove. Middle Cove is closer to the coast (6.9 km vs 8.0 km). On the separate residential safety score, North Willoughby rates higher (100 vs 68/100 in Middle Cove).
Scores
| Middle Cove | North Willoughby | |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 90 | 93 |
| Transport | 79 | 83 |
| Education | 96 | 96 |
| Liveability | 97 | 100 |
Overall is based on transport, liveability & education — the metrics available at consistent quality nationwide. Residential safety is compared separately below.
Demographics
| Middle Cove | North Willoughby | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,327 | 4,161 |
| Median age | 45 | 40 |
| Median household income (wk) | $4,446 | $2,488 |
| Bachelor degree or higher | 74.3% | 65.8% |
| Born in Australia | 63.1% | 61.4% |
| Avg household size | 3 | 2.7 |
Growth: Middle Cove Stable · North Willoughby Moderate Growth
Property
| Middle Cove | North Willoughby | |
|---|---|---|
| Median house price | $4.33M | $3.76M |
| Median unit price | Data not available | $963K |
| House price YoY | Data not available | 30.6% |
| Median rent — house (wk) | $1,500 | $1,500 |
| Rental yield (house) | Data not available | 1.9% |
| Days on market (house) | 69 | 44 |
Median price history
Safety
| Middle Cove | North Willoughby | |
|---|---|---|
| Residential safety score | 68 | 100 |
| Break & enter dwelling /100k | 528 | 96 |
| Motor vehicle theft /100k | 0 | 0 |
| Domestic assault /100k | 0 | 72 |
| Total incidents /100k (all) | 1,055 | 2,355 |
Total incidents over time
Schools
| Middle Cove | North Willoughby | |
|---|---|---|
| Total schools | 1 | 1 |
| Government | 0 | 0 |
| Independent | 1 | 0 |
| Average ICSEA | 1,148 | 1,161 |
See the full school list on each profile: Middle Cove · North Willoughby
Transport
| Middle Cove | North Willoughby | |
|---|---|---|
| Transport score | 79 | 83 |
| Train stations | 0 | 0 |
| Bus stops | 17 | 21 |
| Light rail stops | 0 | 0 |
| Ferry wharves | 0 | 0 |
| CBD commute (min) | 39 | 38 |
| Nearest train station (km) | 3.0 km | 1.8 km |
Liveability
| Middle Cove | North Willoughby | |
|---|---|---|
| Summer max temp | 25.9°C | 25.9°C |
| Winter max temp | 17.0°C | 17.0°C |
| Annual rainfall (mm) | 1,213 | 1,213 |
| Supermarkets | 0 | 0 |
| Cafes & restaurants | 2 | 11 |
| Parks | 2 | 3 |
| Playgrounds | Data not available | 2 |
| Swimming pools | 1 | Data not available |
| Medical GPs | 0 | 0 |
| Distance to coast (km) | 6.9 km | 8.0 km |
| Distance to CBD (km) | 8.9 km | 8.7 km |
| Nearest beach (km) | 5.2 km | 6.3 km |
| Nearest hospital (km) | 3.7 km | 3.0 km |
Population & growth
| Middle Cove | North Willoughby | |
|---|---|---|
| Population (2021) | 1,327 | 4,161 |
| Estimated 2025 | 1,339 | 4,398 |
| Projected 2041 | 1,362 | 4,659 |
| Annual growth rate | 0.23% | 1.39% |
Common questions
Which is safer, Middle Cove or North Willoughby?
North Willoughby has the higher residential safety score (Middle Cove 68/100 vs North Willoughby 100/100).
Which is more affordable, Middle Cove or North Willoughby?
North Willoughby is more affordable, with a median house price of $3.76M versus $4.33M.
Which has better schools, Middle Cove or North Willoughby?
North Willoughby has a higher average school ICSEA (Middle Cove 1148 vs North Willoughby 1161; national average 1000).
Which has better public transport, Middle Cove or North Willoughby?
North Willoughby has the higher transport score (Middle Cove 79/100 vs North Willoughby 83/100).
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