Side by sideSuburb comparison

Docklands vs Southbank.

Comparing two suburbs with median house prices of $440,000 and $418,000. Southbank edges out on more headline metrics in this comparison.

Southbank (median $418,000) is roughly 5% cheaper to buy into than Docklands ($440,000).

On school quality, the average ICSEA across schools serving Southbank (1092) sits above Docklands (1077).

The takeWhich suburb suits which buyer

For buyers

Southbank is the lower entry point at $418,000 median, 5% below the other suburb. For first home buyers, that translates to a smaller deposit and lower stamp duty bill.

For investors

Southbank offers the higher gross rental yield (8.46% vs 8.27%), favouring cash-flow investors.

For families

Southbank edges out on average school ICSEA (1092 vs 1077).

Common questionsDocklands vs Southbank

Common questions

Is Docklands or Southbank cheaper to buy in?

Southbank has the lower median house price at $418,000, roughly 5% below Docklands ($440,000). The gap on units is usually similar but worth checking on the full suburb profiles.

Does Docklands or Southbank have better schools?

On average school ICSEA (the ACARA index that benchmarks educational advantage), Southbank scores 1092 vs 1077 in Docklands. 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, Docklands or Southbank?

Gross rental yield on houses is 8.46% in Southbank vs 8.27% in Docklands. 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

Docklands
Metric
Southbank

Price & Market

$440,000
Median house
$418,000
$585,000
Median unit
$549,800
+0.0%
Annual growth (house)
+0.0%
Days on market

Rental

$700/wk
Rent (house / wk)
$680/wk
$411/wk
Rent (unit / wk)
$411/wk
30.0%
Owner occupied
30.0%
67.0%
Renter occupied
67.0%

Lifestyle & Demographics

100
Walk score
100
100
Transit score
100
100
Bike score
100
15,495
Population
22,631
32
Median age
31

Risk & Hazard

Flood class
Bushfire risk

Schools

20
Schools nearby
20
1077
Avg ICSEA
1092

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).