Side by sideSuburb comparison

Ascot Vale vs Kensington.

Comparing two suburbs with median house prices of $1,275,000 and $1,138,300. Kensington edges out on more headline metrics in this comparison.

Kensington (median $1,138,300) is roughly 12% cheaper to buy into than Ascot Vale ($1,275,000).

Kensington scores higher on walkability (66/100 vs 100/100 ), useful if you're optimising for a car-light household. On school quality, the average ICSEA across schools serving Ascot Vale (1086) sits above Kensington (1070).

The takeWhich suburb suits which buyer

For buyers

Kensington is the lower entry point at $1,138,300 median, 12% below the other suburb. For first home buyers, that translates to a smaller deposit and lower stamp duty bill.

For investors

Kensington offers the higher gross rental yield (3.47% vs 3.06%), favouring cash-flow investors.

For families

Ascot Vale edges out on average school ICSEA (1086 vs 1070).

Common questionsAscot Vale vs Kensington

Common questions

Is Ascot Vale or Kensington cheaper to buy in?

Kensington has the lower median house price at $1,138,300, roughly 12% below Ascot Vale ($1,275,000). The gap on units is usually similar but worth checking on the full suburb profiles.

Does Ascot Vale or Kensington have better schools?

On average school ICSEA (the ACARA index that benchmarks educational advantage), Ascot Vale scores 1086 vs 1070 in Kensington. ICSEA is a school-community indicator, not a quality rating, so always check NAPLAN results and catchment boundaries for the specific address you're considering.

Which is more walkable, Ascot Vale or Kensington?

Kensington scores 100/100 on walkability vs 66/100. Above 70 is considered very walkable (most errands on foot), 50-69 is walkable for some errands, below 50 typically requires a car for daily life.

Which suburb has higher rental yield, Ascot Vale or Kensington?

Gross rental yield on houses is 3.47% in Kensington vs 3.06% in Ascot Vale. Gross yield equals annual rent divided by purchase price. Net yield (after strata, rates, insurance, agent fees and maintenance) typically runs 1.5-2 percentage points lower.

The numbers behind the take

Ascot Vale
Metric
Kensington

Price & Market

$1,275,000
Median house
$1,138,300
$540,000
Median unit
$502,500
+0.0%
Annual growth (house)
+0.0%
Days on market

Rental

$750/wk
Rent (house / wk)
$760/wk
$550/wk
Rent (unit / wk)
$560/wk
60.0%
Owner occupied
38.0%
Renter occupied

Lifestyle & Demographics

66
Walk score
100
30
Transit score
20
100
Bike score
100
15,197
Population
17,772
37
Median age
35

Risk & Hazard

Flood class
Bushfire risk

Schools

20
Schools nearby
20
1086
Avg ICSEA
1070

Climate

639 mm
Annual rainfall
639 mm
25.9°C
Mean max (Jan)
25.9°C

Green dot = better on that metric (lower price, higher growth, higher walkability, lower risk).