Balwyn vs Canterbury
Balwyn (median $3,128,000) is roughly 12% cheaper to buy into than Canterbury ($3,544,000).
Buying in Balwyn or Canterbury?
Selling in Balwyn? The free selling guide
Balwyn and Canterbury side by side
| Measure | Balwyn | Canterbury |
|---|---|---|
| Price and market | ||
| Median house | $3,128,000 | $3,544,000 |
| Median unit | $790,000 | $1,251,100 |
| Renting | ||
| House rent | $750/wk | $800/wk |
| Unit rent | $588/wk | $570/wk |
| Owner occupied | 69.0% | – |
| Renter occupied | 27.0% | – |
| Schools | ||
| Schools nearby | 20 | 20 |
| Average ICSEA | 1145 | 1150 |
| Lifestyle and people | ||
| Walk score | 100 | 64 |
| Transit score | 40 | 20 |
| Bike score | 100 | 100 |
| Population | 13,495 | – |
| Median age | 43 | – |
| Climate | ||
| Annual rainfall | 707 mm | 657 mm |
| Mean max, January | 26.9°C | 27.0°C |
Green dot: better on that measure (lower price, higher growth, higher walkability, lower risk). Each suburb’s profile gives the source and period of its figures.
Which suits whom
Balwyn scores higher on walkability (100/100 vs 64/100 ), useful if you're optimising for a car-light household. On school quality, the average ICSEA across schools serving Canterbury (1150) sits above Balwyn (1145).
- For buyers
- Balwyn is the lower entry point at $3,128,000 median, 12% below the other suburb. For first home buyers, that translates to a smaller deposit and lower stamp duty bill.
- For investors
- Balwyn offers the higher gross rental yield (1.25% vs 1.17%), favouring cash-flow investors.
- For families
- Canterbury edges out on average school ICSEA (1150 vs 1145).
Balwyn vs Canterbury: common questions
Is Balwyn or Canterbury cheaper to buy in?
Balwyn has the lower median house price at $3,128,000, roughly 12% below Canterbury ($3,544,000). The gap on units is usually similar but worth checking on the full suburb profiles.
Does Balwyn or Canterbury have better schools?
On average school ICSEA (the ACARA index that benchmarks educational advantage), Canterbury scores 1150 vs 1145 in Balwyn. 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, Balwyn or Canterbury?
Balwyn scores 100/100 on walkability vs 64/100. 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, Balwyn or Canterbury?
Gross rental yield on houses is 1.25% in Balwyn vs 1.17% in Canterbury. 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.
Keep comparing
The two suburbs
Compare Balwyn with
Choosing between Balwyn and Canterbury?
The free buying guide: budget, schemes, inspections and how not to overpay.