Side by sideSuburb comparison

Carnegie vs Malvern East.

Comparing two suburbs with median house prices of $1,810,000 and $2,437,500.

Carnegie (median $1,810,000) is roughly 26% cheaper to buy into than Malvern East ($2,437,500).

On school quality, the average ICSEA across schools serving Malvern East (1136) sits above Carnegie (1121). Malvern East skews owner-occupied (67%), Carnegie runs more rental-dense (55% owner).

The takeWhich suburb suits which buyer

For buyers

Carnegie is the lower entry point at $1,810,000 median, 26% below the other suburb. For first home buyers, that translates to a smaller deposit and lower stamp duty bill.

For investors

Carnegie offers the higher gross rental yield (1.64% vs 1.30%), favouring cash-flow investors.

For families

Malvern East edges out on average school ICSEA (1136 vs 1121).

Common questionsCarnegie vs Malvern East

Common questions

Is Carnegie or Malvern East cheaper to buy in?

Carnegie has the lower median house price at $1,810,000, roughly 26% below Malvern East ($2,437,500). The gap on units is usually similar but worth checking on the full suburb profiles.

Does Carnegie or Malvern East have better schools?

On average school ICSEA (the ACARA index that benchmarks educational advantage), Malvern East scores 1136 vs 1121 in Carnegie. 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 suburb has higher rental yield, Carnegie or Malvern East?

Gross rental yield on houses is 1.64% in Carnegie vs 1.30% in Malvern East. 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

Carnegie
Metric
Malvern East

Price & Market

$1,810,000
Median house
$2,437,500
$683,000
Median unit
$541,000
+0.0%
Annual growth (house)
+0.0%
Days on market

Rental

$570/wk
Rent (house / wk)
$610/wk
$395/wk
Rent (unit / wk)
$421/wk
55.0%
Owner occupied
67.0%
42.0%
Renter occupied
31.0%

Lifestyle & Demographics

100
Walk score
100
90
Transit score
70
100
Bike score
100
17,909
Population
22,296
36
Median age
38

Risk & Hazard

Flood class
Bushfire risk

Schools

20
Schools nearby
20
1121
Avg ICSEA
1136

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).