Eltham vs Mcleans Ridges

Eltham and Mcleans Ridges have near-identical medians ($1,550,000 vs $1,550,000). Over the past year, Mcleans Ridges (+8%) ran 15.7 percentage points ahead of Eltham (-7.7%) on house-price growth.

Buying in Eltham or Mcleans Ridges?

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Eltham and Mcleans Ridges side by side

MeasureElthamMcleans Ridges
Price and market
Median house$1,550,000$1,550,000
Median unit$240,480$240,480
House price change, 12 months-7.7%+8.0%
Renting
House rent$620/wk$620/wk
Unit rent$435/wk$435/wk
Owner occupied86.0%86.0%
Renter occupied15.0%7.0%
Schools
Schools nearby1620
Average ICSEA10251000
Lifestyle and people
Walk score0–
Transit score0–
Bike score0–
Population332808
Median age4845
Climate
Annual rainfall1464 mm1503 mm
Mean max, January29.2°C28.6°C

Green dot: better on that measure (lower price, higher growth, higher walkability, lower risk). Each suburb’s profile gives the source and period of its figures.

Which suits whom

On school quality, the average ICSEA across schools serving Eltham (1025) sits above Mcleans Ridges (1000).

For buyers
The two suburbs land at similar price points ($1,550,000 vs $1,550,000), so the buying decision usually comes down to lifestyle fit rather than affordability.
For investors
Mcleans Ridges has run faster on 12-month capital growth, favouring growth-led investors.
For families
Eltham edges out on average school ICSEA (1025 vs 1000).

Eltham vs Mcleans Ridges: common questions

Which has stronger property growth, Eltham or Mcleans Ridges?

Over the past 12 months, Mcleans Ridges grew +8% vs -7.7% in Eltham, a gap of 15.7 percentage points. Twelve-month growth can swing year to year, so weight long-run trends from the individual suburb profiles before making a buy decision.

Does Eltham or Mcleans Ridges have better schools?

On average school ICSEA (the ACARA index that benchmarks educational advantage), Eltham scores 1025 vs 1000 in Mcleans Ridges. 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.