Side by sideSuburb comparison

Kensington vs Zetland.

Comparing two suburbs with median house prices of $3,421,750 and $2,280,000. Zetland edges out on more headline metrics in this comparison.

Zetland (median $2,280,000) is roughly 50% cheaper to buy into than Kensington ($3,421,750). Over the past year, Zetland (+0.2%) ran 16.5 percentage points ahead of Kensington (-16.3%) on house-price growth.

On school quality, the average ICSEA across schools serving Kensington (1103) sits above Zetland (1053). Kensington skews owner-occupied (43%), Zetland runs more rental-dense (27% owner).

The takeWhich suburb suits which buyer

For buyers

Zetland is the lower entry point at $2,280,000 median, 50% below the other suburb. For first home buyers, that translates to a smaller deposit and lower stamp duty bill.

For investors

Zetland carries both higher gross yield (2.62% vs 1.94%) and stronger 12-month growth. On the headline numbers, it's the cleaner investor case of the two.

For families

Kensington edges out on average school ICSEA (1103 vs 1053).

Common questionsKensington vs Zetland

Common questions

Is Kensington or Zetland cheaper to buy in?

Zetland has the lower median house price at $2,280,000, roughly 50% below Kensington ($3,421,750). The gap on units is usually similar but worth checking on the full suburb profiles.

Which has stronger property growth, Kensington or Zetland?

Over the past 12 months, Zetland grew +0.2% vs -16.3% in Kensington, a gap of 16.5 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 Kensington or Zetland have better schools?

On average school ICSEA (the ACARA index that benchmarks educational advantage), Kensington scores 1103 vs 1053 in Zetland. 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, Kensington or Zetland?

Gross rental yield on houses is 2.62% in Zetland vs 1.94% in Kensington. 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

Kensington
Metric
Zetland

Price & Market

$3,421,750
Median house
$2,280,000
$437,040
Median unit
$1,040,000
-16.3%
Annual growth (house)
+0.2%
Days on market

Rental

$1275/wk
Rent (house / wk)
$1150/wk
$815/wk
Rent (unit / wk)
$1050/wk
43.0%
Owner occupied
27.0%
55.0%
Renter occupied
70.0%

Lifestyle & Demographics

100
Walk score
100
20
Transit score
0
100
Bike score
100
11,927
Population
12,622
32
Median age
30

Risk & Hazard

Flood class
Bushfire risk

Schools

20
Schools nearby
20
1103
Avg ICSEA
1053

Climate

1302 mm
Annual rainfall
1302 mm
26.0°C
Mean max (Jan)
26.0°C

Green dot = better on that metric (lower price, higher growth, higher walkability, lower risk).