Housing
Housing rental quartiles
About this topic
Housing rental quartiles group renting households into four evenly sized rent bands so rental costs can be compared across places and across Census years. They show the relative rent profile of the renting population rather than fixed weekly rent brackets.
This topic is useful for comparing change over time because direct rent amounts are affected by inflation and broader market shifts. It is best read with household income and tenure when assessing rental affordability and housing stress.
Interpretation notes
- This is a derived rent distribution for renting households, so quartiles show relative rent position rather than fixed weekly rent bands.
- Quartiles are more useful than raw rent ranges for comparing rental profiles across areas or years.
Key insight
In 2021, the highest rent quartile held the largest share among households renting their home in Sydney (C), accounting for 50.8%.
Section overview
Housing rental quartiles
Sydney (C) - Households (Enumerated)
This table summarises housing rental quartiles for Sydney (C) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Greater Sydney and change since 2016.
Housing rental quartiles snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Sydney (C), with comparison markers for Greater Sydney.
Lowest group
2021 count
8,863
% of total
14.5%
Change from 2016
-
8,863
14.5%
-
Medium lowest
2021 count
6,792
% of total
11.1%
Change from 2016
-
6,792
11.1%
-
Medium highest
2021 count
14,329
% of total
23.5%
Change from 2016
-
14,329
23.5%
-
Highest group
2021 count
31,003
% of total
50.8%
Change from 2016
-
31,003
50.8%
-
Chart view
Housing rental quartiles change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
Lowest group
-
-
Medium lowest
-
-
Medium highest
-
-
Highest group
-
-
Data table
Housing rental quartiles for Sydney (C). Housing rental quartiles. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Greater Sydney.
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Greater Sydney% | Count | % | Greater Sydney% | Count | pp | |
| Lowest group | 8,863 | 14.5% | 17.4% | 7,597 | 14.7% | 16.6% | - | - |
| Medium lowest | 6,792 | 11.1% | 20.5% | 5,538 | 10.7% | 19.2% | - | - |
| Medium highest | 14,329 | 23.5% | 29.8% | 8,595 | 16.7% | 29.1% | - | - |
| Highest group | 31,003 | 50.8% | 32.3% | 29,798 | 57.8% | 35.1% | - | - |
| Total households with stated rent | 60,987 | 100.0% | 100.0% | 51,528 | 100.0% | 100.0% | - | - |