Side by sideSuburb comparison

Clifton Hill vs Northcote.

Comparing two suburbs with median house prices of $1,735,000 and $1,724,500. Northcote edges out on more headline metrics in this comparison.

Northcote (median $1,724,500) is roughly 1% cheaper to buy into than Clifton Hill ($1,735,000).

On school quality, the average ICSEA across schools serving Northcote (1137) sits above Clifton Hill (1131).

The takeWhich suburb suits which buyer

For buyers

Northcote is the lower entry point at $1,724,500 median, 1% below the other suburb. For first home buyers, that translates to a smaller deposit and lower stamp duty bill.

For investors

Clifton Hill offers the higher gross rental yield (2.99% vs 1.93%), favouring cash-flow investors.

For families

Northcote edges out on average school ICSEA (1137 vs 1131).

Common questionsClifton Hill vs Northcote

Common questions

Is Clifton Hill or Northcote cheaper to buy in?

Northcote has the lower median house price at $1,724,500, roughly 1% below Clifton Hill ($1,735,000). The gap on units is usually similar but worth checking on the full suburb profiles.

Does Clifton Hill or Northcote have better schools?

On average school ICSEA (the ACARA index that benchmarks educational advantage), Northcote scores 1137 vs 1131 in Clifton 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 suburb has higher rental yield, Clifton Hill or Northcote?

Gross rental yield on houses is 2.99% in Clifton Hill vs 1.93% in Northcote. 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

Clifton Hill
Metric
Northcote

Price & Market

$1,735,000
Median house
$1,724,500
$719,500
Median unit
$600,000
+0.0%
Annual growth (house)
+0.0%
Days on market

Rental

$998/wk
Rent (house / wk)
$640/wk
$690/wk
Rent (unit / wk)
$475/wk
60.0%
Owner occupied
60.0%
39.0%
Renter occupied
37.0%

Lifestyle & Demographics

100
Walk score
100
20
Transit score
100
100
Bike score
100
6,606
Population
25,276
37
Median age
37

Risk & Hazard

Flood class
Bushfire risk

Schools

20
Schools nearby
20
1131
Avg ICSEA
1137

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).