Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | District 3 — Queenstown/Alexandra | District 12 — Toa Payoh/Balestier |
|---|---|---|
| Condo Count | 43 | 123 |
| Avg PSF | $2,020 psf | $1,498 psf |
| Median Price | $2,063,131 | $1,561,791 |
| Transaction Volume | 6,006 | 3,235 |
| Avg Walkability | 66.8/100 | 58.2/100 |
| Avg Investment Score | 64.1/100 | 48.8/100 |
| Avg TOP Year | 2012 | 2006 |
| Avg Gross Yield | 2.7% | 2.4% |
Price Analysis
District 12 — Toa Payoh/Balestier is the more affordable option, with an average PSF that is $522 psf (29.7%) lower than District 3 — Queenstown/Alexandra.
In terms of median transaction price, District 12 — Toa Payoh/Balestier also offers a lower entry point at $1,561,791 compared to $2,063,131.
Lifestyle & Accessibility
District 3 — Queenstown/Alexandra 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.
District 12 — Toa Payoh/Balestier wins on price. District 3 — Queenstown/Alexandra wins on walkability. District 3 — Queenstown/Alexandra wins on investment score. District 3 — Queenstown/Alexandra wins on rental yield.
Investment Potential
District 3 — Queenstown/Alexandra 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 3 — Queenstown/Alexandra 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 3 — Queenstown/Alexandra
| Condo | Avg PSF | Transactions | Units | Tenure |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ZYON GRAND | $3,050 psf | 624 | 1,079 | 99 yrs lease commencing from 2024 |
| AVENUE SOUTH RESIDENCE | $2,261 psf | 569 | 1,074 | 99 yrs lease commencing from 2018 |
| PENRITH | $2,795 psf | 449 | 462 | 99 yrs lease commencing from 2024 |
| STIRLING RESIDENCES | $2,271 psf | 440 | 1,259 | 99 yrs lease commencing from 2017 |
| ONE PEARL BANK | $2,569 psf | 426 | 774 | 99 yrs lease commencing from 2019 |
Top 5 Condos in District 12 — Toa Payoh/Balestier
| Condo | Avg PSF | Transactions | Units | Tenure |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| THE ORIE | $2,730 psf | 740 | 52 | 99 yrs lease commencing from 2024 |
| EIGHT RIVERSUITES | $1,639 psf | 296 | 843 | 99 yrs lease commencing from 2011 |
| GEM RESIDENCES | $1,831 psf | 190 | 578 | 99 yrs lease commencing from 2015 |
| TREVISTA | $1,696 psf | 145 | 590 | 99 yrs lease commencing from 2008 |
| VERTICUS | $2,122 psf | 128 | 162 | Freehold |
Final Verdict
District 3 — Queenstown/Alexandra
Pros & Cons
✓ Strengths
- Better walkability score (66.8/100)
- Higher average investment score (64.1)
- Higher gross rental yield (2.7%)
- Newer average stock (avg TOP 2012)
✗ Considerations
- Higher average PSF ($2,020 psf)
- Fewer condos available (43 developments)
District 12 — Toa Payoh/Balestier
Pros & Cons
✓ Strengths
- More affordable average PSF ($1,498 psf)
- More condos to choose from (123 developments)
✗ Considerations
- Lower walkability score (58.2/100)
- Lower average investment score (48.8)
- Lower gross rental yield (2.4%)
- Older average stock (avg TOP 2006)
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is more affordable, District 3 — Queenstown/Alexandra or District 12 — Toa Payoh/Balestier?
Is District 3 — Queenstown/Alexandra or District 12 — Toa Payoh/Balestier better for families?
Which area is a better investment?
How current is this comparison data?
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.
- Property matched to areas by district + street keyword filtering.
- Transaction data from URA.
- Master plan context from URA Master Plan.
Median values used to minimize outlier impact. PSF = price per square foot.