Side by sideSuburb comparison

Lilydale vs Montrose.

Comparing two suburbs with median house prices of $957,500 and $985,000. Lilydale edges out on more headline metrics in this comparison.

Lilydale (median $957,500) is roughly 3% cheaper to buy into than Montrose ($985,000).

Lilydale scores higher on walkability (100/100 vs 36/100 ), useful if you're optimising for a car-light household. On school quality, the average ICSEA across schools serving Lilydale (1029) sits above Montrose (1025).

The takeWhich suburb suits which buyer

For buyers

Lilydale is the lower entry point at $957,500 median, 3% below the other suburb. For first home buyers, that translates to a smaller deposit and lower stamp duty bill.

For investors

Lilydale offers the higher gross rental yield (3.26% vs 1.93%), favouring cash-flow investors.

For families

Lilydale edges out on average school ICSEA (1029 vs 1025).

Common questionsLilydale vs Montrose

Common questions

Is Lilydale or Montrose cheaper to buy in?

Lilydale has the lower median house price at $957,500, roughly 3% below Montrose ($985,000). The gap on units is usually similar but worth checking on the full suburb profiles.

Does Lilydale or Montrose have better schools?

On average school ICSEA (the ACARA index that benchmarks educational advantage), Lilydale scores 1029 vs 1025 in Montrose. 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, Lilydale or Montrose?

Lilydale scores 100/100 on walkability vs 36/100. 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, Lilydale or Montrose?

Gross rental yield on houses is 3.26% in Lilydale vs 1.93% in Montrose. 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

Lilydale
Metric
Montrose

Price & Market

$957,500
Median house
$985,000
$622,500
Median unit
$316,800
+0.0%
Annual growth (house)
+0.0%
Days on market

Rental

$600/wk
Rent (house / wk)
$365/wk
$500/wk
Rent (unit / wk)
$310/wk
Owner occupied
Renter occupied

Lifestyle & Demographics

100
Walk score
36
0
Transit score
0
100
Bike score
100
17,348
Population
6,900
40
Median age
41

Risk & Hazard

Flood class
Bushfire risk

Schools

20
Schools nearby
20
1029
Avg ICSEA
1025

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).