Surry Hills
Suburb profile, market snapshot and recent listings for Surry Hills, NSW 2010.
About Surry Hills
Welcome to Surry Hills
Surry Hills sits barely a kilometre south-east of the Sydney CBD, wedged between Haymarket and Darling Harbour to the west and Darlinghurst and Chippendale to the east and south. It's one of the city's most walkable inner precincts, a former warehouse-and-terrace district now known for its coffee culture, converted factories and tightly packed rows of Victorian terraces.
With a population of 15,828 and a median age of 35, it's a suburb built around young professionals, creatives and downsizers who want to live close to work without giving up a genuine neighbourhood feel. Expect narrow streets, laneway cafes and a mix of old and new that rewards exploring on foot.
Lifestyle & dining
Surry Hills has long punched above its weight for food and coffee, and that reputation hasn't faded. Crown Street is the spine of the suburb's cafe and restaurant scene, running past converted terraces that now house everything from long-standing local institutions to newer, chef-driven openings. The side streets around Bourke Street and Foveaux Street add to the density of small bars, bakeries and independent restaurants that make this one of the most eaten-in postcodes in Sydney.
It's also a genuinely social suburb after dark, with a concentration of small bars and live-music venues that spill into Darlinghurst next door. That said, plenty of streets remain quiet residential pockets, so the buzz is easy to opt into or avoid depending on which block you're on.
Shopping
Everyday shopping in Surry Hills tends to happen along Crown Street and Cleveland Street, where independent boutiques, delis and homewares stores sit alongside supermarkets and specialty grocers. For bigger retail hits, Haymarket and the Sydney CBD are both an easy walk away, bringing department stores, Chinatown's markets and the broader Pitt Street retail strip into easy reach without needing a car.
Getting around
Surry Hills' biggest drawcard for many buyers and renters is sheer proximity — the CBD, Darling Harbour and Central Station are all within easy walking or light rail distance. Central, on the suburb's northern fringe, connects into Sydney's heavy rail network, intercity trains and the light rail line, while frequent bus routes run along Cleveland Street and through to the city and eastern suburbs.
It's a genuinely car-optional suburb: flat streets, decent bike infrastructure and short distances mean many residents walk to work in the CBD or Darling Harbour, and Sydney Airport is a short trip away via the light rail and train network.
Schools & families
Surry Hills isn't the biggest family suburb in Sydney, but it does have solid local options. Bourke Street Public School and Crown Street Public School serve local primary-aged children, while Inner Sydney High School caters to secondary students in the immediate area. The Sydney Distance Education Primary School also has a base here. Families tend to be drawn to the suburb's walkability and city proximity, even as many trade larger blocks for terraces and apartments.
Housing & architecture
The housing stock is dominated by apartments and terraces rather than freestanding houses, reflecting the suburb's inner-city, high-density character. Current listings show apartments and units making up 65% of the mix, with houses at 24%, townhouses 8% and other dwelling types the remaining 3%. Much of the housing dates from the Victorian and Edwardian eras — narrow-fronted brick terraces with iron lacework are a defining feature — alongside a wave of converted warehouses and newer apartment developments from recent decades.
The property market
Surry Hills remains one of Sydney's more expensive inner-city markets. The median house price sits at $2.60 million, with houses relatively scarce given the suburb's terrace-and-apartment character, while the median unit or apartment price is $790,000, reflecting the far larger share of apartment stock available. Median rent across the suburb is $1,450 per week, underlining strong ongoing demand from tenants wanting to be close to the CBD.
House prices have grown 7.2% recently, a solid result for an established inner-city market, and points to continued demand for the suburb's limited stock of freestanding and semi-detached houses. Buyers and investors alike are typically drawn by the combination of heritage character, walkability and proximity to the city core.
Market snapshot
Surry Hills property market
Median sale price
$2.60m
House · 3 bed
Median rent
$1,450
per week
Gross rental yield
2.9%
annual rent ÷ sale price
Typical price range
Entry
$1.88m
Median
$2.60m
Premium
$3.91m
Days on market
44
Auction clearance
69%
Sold this year
56
Median sold price trend · House 3 bed
Compound growth +3.2% / yr over 4 yrs
Median price by bedrooms · House
Property types on market
Share of current listings in Surry Hills by dwelling type.
Who lives here
Demographics
ABS Census 2021 figures for Surry Hills, NSW 2010.
Population
15,828
residents (2021)
Median age
35
years
Household income
$2,308
median, per week
Median rent
$550
per week
Median mortgage
$2,839
per month
Mortgage / income
28%
comfortable
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Census of Population and Housing 2021. Suburb-level (SAL) aggregates.
Education
Schools in Surry Hills
Government school catchment
Recent results
Recently sold in Surry Hills
$2.30m
5 Rainford Street
Sold ~July 2026
$890k
41/492 Elizabeth Street
Sold ~July 2026
$1.30m
63 Reservoir Street
Sold ~July 2026
$900k
17/47-49 Buckingham Street
Sold ~July 2026
$1.57m
5 Samuel Street
Sold ~July 2026
$1.30m
7/5-13 Hutchinson Street
Sold ~July 2026
$800k
5.39/517 Elizabeth Street
Sold ~July 2026
$2.10m
7/144-154 Commonwealth Street
Sold ~July 2026
Sold prices as published on the original listing; some may reflect the last advertised price. Dates are approximate.
Explore the area
Properties & amenities in Surry Hills
Compare the area
Price map around Surry Hills
Every listing for sale near Surry Hills, coloured by price — so you can see how it stacks up against the streets and suburbs next door.
Loading price map…
Nearby suburbs
Quick switch to nearby areas
Common questions
Surry Hills suburb FAQ
What is the median property price in Surry Hills?
The median unit price in Surry Hills, NSW is $790k for a 1-bedroom home. Over the past year, median sold prices have fallen about 1.3%.
How much is rent in Surry Hills?
The median weekly rent in Surry Hills is around $750 per week.
Is Surry Hills a good place to live?
Surry Hills is an inner-east suburb of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Surry Hills is an established residential suburb in NSW, with a population of around 15,828 and 4 schools in the area.
What is the population of Surry Hills?
Surry Hills has a population of 15,828 (ABS 2021 Census), with a median age of 35.
What schools are in Surry Hills?
There are 4 schools in or near Surry Hills, including Bourke Street Public School, Crown Street Public School and Sydney Distance Education Primary School.
How long do homes take to sell in Surry Hills?
Properties in Surry Hills take around 33 days to sell on average, with an auction clearance rate of about 71%.
How much do you need to buy in Surry Hills?
Entry-level properties in Surry Hills start around $479k, while premium homes reach $1.17m.
What suburbs are near Surry Hills?
Suburbs near Surry Hills include Haymarket, Sydney, Darling Harbour, Darlinghurst and Chippendale.
Fresh to market
New this week in Surry Hills
Stylish oversized studio with parking and balcony
Victorian Terrace with Charm and Contemporary Design
Elevated Luxury with Parkland Views in Resort-Style Setting
Modern urban lifestyle haven in the heart of Surry Hills
Available now