Side by sideSuburb comparison

Collingwood vs East Melbourne.

Comparing two suburbs with median house prices of $1,403,500 and $2,400,000. Collingwood edges out on more headline metrics in this comparison.

Collingwood (median $1,403,500) is roughly 42% cheaper to buy into than East Melbourne ($2,400,000).

On school quality, the average ICSEA across schools serving Collingwood (1066) sits above East Melbourne (1038).

The takeWhich suburb suits which buyer

For buyers

Collingwood is the lower entry point at $1,403,500 median, 42% below the other suburb. For first home buyers, that translates to a smaller deposit and lower stamp duty bill.

For investors

Collingwood offers the higher gross rental yield (3.52% vs 1.41%), favouring cash-flow investors.

For families

Collingwood edges out on average school ICSEA (1066 vs 1038).

Common questionsCollingwood vs East Melbourne

Common questions

Is Collingwood or East Melbourne cheaper to buy in?

Collingwood has the lower median house price at $1,403,500, roughly 42% below East Melbourne ($2,400,000). The gap on units is usually similar but worth checking on the full suburb profiles.

Does Collingwood or East Melbourne have better schools?

On average school ICSEA (the ACARA index that benchmarks educational advantage), Collingwood scores 1066 vs 1038 in East Melbourne. 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, Collingwood or East Melbourne?

Gross rental yield on houses is 3.52% in Collingwood vs 1.41% in East Melbourne. 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

Collingwood
Metric
East Melbourne

Price & Market

$1,403,500
Median house
$2,400,000
$660,000
Median unit
$610,000
+0.0%
Annual growth (house)
+0.0%
Days on market

Rental

$950/wk
Rent (house / wk)
$650/wk
$695/wk
Rent (unit / wk)
$480/wk
Owner occupied
45.0%
Renter occupied
53.0%

Lifestyle & Demographics

100
Walk score
100
100
Transit score
100
100
Bike score
100
9,179
Population
4,896
33
Median age
42

Risk & Hazard

Flood class
Bushfire risk

Schools

20
Schools nearby
20
1066
Avg ICSEA
1038

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).