Side by sideSuburb comparison

Carrum Downs vs Seaford.

Comparing two suburbs with median house prices of $775,000 and $880,000. Carrum Downs edges out on more headline metrics in this comparison.

Carrum Downs (median $775,000) is roughly 12% cheaper to buy into than Seaford ($880,000).

Carrum Downs scores higher on walkability (42/100 vs 20/100 ), useful if you're optimising for a car-light household. On school quality, the average ICSEA across schools serving Seaford (1011) sits above Carrum Downs (1002).

The takeWhich suburb suits which buyer

For buyers

Carrum Downs is the lower entry point at $775,000 median, 12% below the other suburb. For first home buyers, that translates to a smaller deposit and lower stamp duty bill.

For investors

Carrum Downs offers the higher gross rental yield (3.76% vs 3.31%), favouring cash-flow investors.

For families

Seaford edges out on average school ICSEA (1011 vs 1002).

Common questionsCarrum Downs vs Seaford

Common questions

Is Carrum Downs or Seaford cheaper to buy in?

Carrum Downs has the lower median house price at $775,000, roughly 12% below Seaford ($880,000). The gap on units is usually similar but worth checking on the full suburb profiles.

Does Carrum Downs or Seaford have better schools?

On average school ICSEA (the ACARA index that benchmarks educational advantage), Seaford scores 1011 vs 1002 in Carrum Downs. 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, Carrum Downs or Seaford?

Carrum Downs scores 42/100 on walkability vs 20/100. 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, Carrum Downs or Seaford?

Gross rental yield on houses is 3.76% in Carrum Downs vs 3.31% in Seaford. 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

Carrum Downs
Metric
Seaford

Price & Market

$775,000
Median house
$880,000
$600,000
Median unit
$577,500
+0.0%
Annual growth (house)
+0.0%
Days on market

Rental

$560/wk
Rent (house / wk)
$560/wk
$470/wk
Rent (unit / wk)
$470/wk
70.0%
Owner occupied
27.0%
Renter occupied

Lifestyle & Demographics

42
Walk score
20
30
Transit score
0
100
Bike score
100
21,976
Population
17,215
36
Median age
40

Risk & Hazard

Flood class
Bushfire risk

Schools

20
Schools nearby
20
1002
Avg ICSEA
1011

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).