Blackburn vs Forest Hill
Forest Hill (median $1,180,000) is roughly 30% cheaper to buy into than Blackburn ($1,673,800).
Buying in Blackburn or Forest Hill?
Selling in Blackburn? The free selling guide
Blackburn and Forest Hill side by side
| Measure | Blackburn | Forest Hill |
|---|---|---|
| Price and market | ||
| Median house | $1,673,800 | $1,180,000 |
| Median unit | $1,050,000 | $760,000 |
| Renting | ||
| House rent | $620/wk | $630/wk |
| Unit rent | $550/wk | $578/wk |
| Owner occupied | 72.0% | – |
| Renter occupied | 26.0% | – |
| Schools | ||
| Schools nearby | 20 | 20 |
| Average ICSEA | 1119 | 1102 |
| Lifestyle and people | ||
| Walk score | 66 | 48 |
| Transit score | 100 | 60 |
| Bike score | 100 | 100 |
| Population | 14,478 | – |
| Median age | 41 | – |
| Climate | ||
| Annual rainfall | 751 mm | 786 mm |
| Mean max, January | 26.9°C | 26.5°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
Blackburn scores higher on walkability (66/100 vs 48/100 ), useful if you're optimising for a car-light household. On school quality, the average ICSEA across schools serving Blackburn (1119) sits above Forest Hill (1102).
- For buyers
- Forest Hill is the lower entry point at $1,180,000 median, 30% below the other suburb. For first home buyers, that translates to a smaller deposit and lower stamp duty bill.
- For investors
- Forest Hill offers the higher gross rental yield (2.78% vs 1.93%), favouring cash-flow investors.
- For families
- Blackburn edges out on average school ICSEA (1119 vs 1102).
Blackburn vs Forest Hill: common questions
Is Blackburn or Forest Hill cheaper to buy in?
Forest Hill has the lower median house price at $1,180,000, roughly 30% below Blackburn ($1,673,800). The gap on units is usually similar but worth checking on the full suburb profiles.
Does Blackburn or Forest Hill have better schools?
On average school ICSEA (the ACARA index that benchmarks educational advantage), Blackburn scores 1119 vs 1102 in Forest Hill. 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, Blackburn or Forest Hill?
Blackburn scores 66/100 on walkability vs 48/100. 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, Blackburn or Forest Hill?
Gross rental yield on houses is 2.78% in Forest Hill vs 1.93% in Blackburn. 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.
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