Glen Iris vs Malvern.
Comparing two suburbs with median house prices of $2,715,000 and $2,500,000. Malvern edges out on more headline metrics in this comparison.
Malvern (median $2,500,000) is roughly 9% cheaper to buy into than Glen Iris ($2,715,000).
Malvern scores higher on walkability (58/100 vs 100/100 ), useful if you're optimising for a car-light household. On school quality, the average ICSEA across schools serving Malvern (1151) sits above Glen Iris (1148).
For buyers
Malvern is the lower entry point at $2,500,000 median, 9% below the other suburb. For first home buyers, that translates to a smaller deposit and lower stamp duty bill.
For investors
Malvern offers the higher gross rental yield (2.08% vs 1.61%), favouring cash-flow investors.
For families
Malvern edges out on average school ICSEA (1151 vs 1148).
Common questions
Is Glen Iris or Malvern cheaper to buy in?
Malvern has the lower median house price at $2,500,000, roughly 9% below Glen Iris ($2,715,000). The gap on units is usually similar but worth checking on the full suburb profiles.
Does Glen Iris or Malvern have better schools?
On average school ICSEA (the ACARA index that benchmarks educational advantage), Malvern scores 1151 vs 1148 in Glen Iris. 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, Glen Iris or Malvern?
Malvern scores 100/100 on walkability vs 58/100. 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, Glen Iris or Malvern?
Gross rental yield on houses is 2.08% in Malvern vs 1.61% in Glen Iris. 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
Price & Market
Rental
Lifestyle & Demographics
Risk & Hazard
Schools
Climate
Green dot = better on that metric (lower price, higher growth, higher walkability, lower risk).
Compare Glen Iris against another suburb