District 1 (CBD) vs District 7 (Beach Road): Downtown Core Comparison

Comparison Updated 6 min read
Key Takeaways
  • District 1 — Raffles Place/Marina: 24 condos | District 7 — Beach Road/Bugis: 34 condos
  • Lower avg PSF: District 7 — Beach Road/Bugis
  • Higher transaction volume: District 1 — Raffles Place/Marina
  • Data sourced from URA REALIS and OneMap geospatial database.

Side-by-Side Comparison

District 1 — Raffles Place/Marina vs District 7 — Beach Road/Bugis
MetricDistrict 1 — Raffles Place/MarinaDistrict 7 — Beach Road/Bugis
Condo Count2434
Avg PSF$2,423 psf$2,033 psf
Median Price$2,020,886$1,600,000
Transaction Volume1,7261,365
Avg Walkability66/10086.9/100
Avg Investment Score62.5/10066.2/100
Avg TOP Year20082012
Avg Gross Yield3.2%2.7%

Price Analysis

$2,423 psf
District 1 — Raffles Place/Marina Avg PSF
$2,033 psf
District 7 — Beach Road/Bugis Avg PSF

District 7 — Beach Road/Bugis is the more affordable option, with an average PSF that is $390 psf (17.5%) lower than District 1 — Raffles Place/Marina.

In terms of median transaction price, District 7 — Beach Road/Bugis also offers a lower entry point at $1,600,000 compared to $2,020,886.

Lifestyle & Accessibility

66/100
District 1 — Raffles Place/Marina Walkability
86.9/100
District 7 — Beach Road/Bugis Walkability

District 7 — Beach Road/Bugis scores higher on walkability, reflecting better proximity to MRT stations, schools, hawker centres, and other daily amenities. This composite score accounts for seven weighted categories of nearby facilities.

💡
Verdict

District 7 — Beach Road/Bugis wins on price. District 7 — Beach Road/Bugis wins on walkability. District 7 — Beach Road/Bugis wins on investment score. District 1 — Raffles Place/Marina wins on rental yield.

Investment Potential

62.5/100
District 1 — Raffles Place/Marina Investment Score
66.2/100
District 7 — Beach Road/Bugis Investment Score
3.2%
District 1 — Raffles Place/Marina Avg Yield
2.7%
District 7 — Beach Road/Bugis Avg Yield

District 7 — Beach Road/Bugis has a higher average investment score, which factors in price momentum, rental yield, liquidity, MRT proximity, lease remaining, and district desirability.

In terms of gross rental yield, District 1 — Raffles Place/Marina delivers stronger returns. Note that yields shown are gross (annual rent / price) and do not account for maintenance fees, property tax, or vacancy.

Top Condos in Each Area

Top 5 Condos in District 1 — Raffles Place/Marina

Top condos in District 1 — Raffles Place/Marina by transaction volume
CondoAvg PSFTransactionsUnitsTenure
ONE MARINA GARDENS$2,956 psf58693799 yrs lease commencing from 2023
THE SAIL @ MARINA BAY$2,008 psf2641,11199-year leasehold
MARINA ONE RESIDENCES$2,342 psf1991,04299 yrs lease commencing from 2011
UNION SQUARE RESIDENCES$3,187 psf13836699 yrs lease commencing from 2024
ONE SHENTON$1,772 psf10234199 yrs lease commencing from 2005

Top 5 Condos in District 7 — Beach Road/Bugis

Top condos in District 7 — Beach Road/Bugis by transaction volume
CondoAvg PSFTransactionsUnitsTenure
MIDTOWN MODERN$2,837 psf58155899 yrs lease commencing from 2019
THE M$2,755 psf13452299 yrs lease commencing from 2019
DUO RESIDENCES$2,199 psf9166099 yrs lease commencing from 2011
MIDTOWN BAY$3,229 psf9021999 yrs lease commencing from 2018
CONCOURSE SKYLINE$1,963 psf8836099 yrs lease commencing from 2008
🧮Calculate Total Acquisition Cost

Final Verdict

District 1 — Raffles Place/Marina

Pros & Cons

✓ Strengths

  • Higher gross rental yield (3.2%)

✗ Considerations

  • Higher average PSF ($2,423 psf)
  • Lower walkability score (66/100)
  • Lower average investment score (62.5)
  • Fewer condos available (24 developments)
  • Older average stock (avg TOP 2008)

District 7 — Beach Road/Bugis

Pros & Cons

✓ Strengths

  • More affordable average PSF ($2,033 psf)
  • Better walkability score (86.9/100)
  • Higher average investment score (66.2)
  • More condos to choose from (34 developments)
  • Newer average stock (avg TOP 2012)

✗ Considerations

  • Lower gross rental yield (2.7%)

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is more affordable, District 1 — Raffles Place/Marina or District 7 — Beach Road/Bugis?
District 7 — Beach Road/Bugis has a lower average PSF based on historical transaction data. However, affordability depends on unit size, tenure, and specific development. Use our Total Acquisition Cost calculator for a full picture.
Is District 1 — Raffles Place/Marina or District 7 — Beach Road/Bugis better for families?
Based on walkability scores (which include school and park proximity), District 7 — Beach Road/Bugis edges ahead. However, school proximity, unit size availability, and community feel all matter. We recommend visiting both areas to assess your specific family needs.
Which area is a better investment?
Investment potential depends on your strategy. For rental yield, District 1 — Raffles Place/Marina performs better. For overall investment score (combining yield, growth, liquidity), District 7 — Beach Road/Bugis scores higher. Capital appreciation depends on future developments, government plans, and market conditions.
How current is this comparison data?
This comparison uses all available transaction data from URA and is regenerated periodically. Walkability and investment scores are computed from OneMap geospatial data and property attributes. Specific data freshness is indicated by the freshness badge at the top of the article.

Methodology & Sources

This analysis covers all available transaction data for the compared neighbourhoods and is updated periodically as new URA data is published.

Transaction data sourced from URA.

Median values used to minimize outlier impact. PSF = price per square foot.