Side by sideSuburb comparison

Malvern vs Kooyong.

Comparing two suburbs with median house prices of $2,500,000 and $704,000. Kooyong edges out on more headline metrics in this comparison.

Kooyong (median $704,000) is roughly 255% cheaper to buy into than Malvern ($2,500,000).

Malvern scores higher on walkability (100/100 vs 20/100 ), useful if you're optimising for a car-light household. On school quality, the average ICSEA across schools serving Kooyong (1158) sits above Malvern (1151).

The takeWhich suburb suits which buyer

For buyers

Kooyong is the lower entry point at $704,000 median, 255% below the other suburb. For first home buyers, that translates to a smaller deposit and lower stamp duty bill.

For investors

Kooyong offers the higher gross rental yield (3.33% vs 2.08%), favouring cash-flow investors.

For families

Kooyong edges out on average school ICSEA (1158 vs 1151).

Common questionsMalvern vs Kooyong

Common questions

Is Malvern or Kooyong cheaper to buy in?

Kooyong has the lower median house price at $704,000, roughly 255% below Malvern ($2,500,000). The gap on units is usually similar but worth checking on the full suburb profiles.

Does Malvern or Kooyong have better schools?

On average school ICSEA (the ACARA index that benchmarks educational advantage), Kooyong scores 1158 vs 1151 in Malvern. 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, Malvern or Kooyong?

Malvern scores 100/100 on walkability vs 20/100. 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, Malvern or Kooyong?

Gross rental yield on houses is 3.33% in Kooyong vs 2.08% in Malvern. 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

Malvern
Metric
Kooyong

Price & Market

$2,500,000
Median house
$704,000
$625,000
Median unit
$1,731,000
+0.0%
Annual growth (house)
+0.0%
Days on market

Rental

$1000/wk
Rent (house / wk)
$451/wk
$600/wk
Rent (unit / wk)
$590/wk
Owner occupied
74.0%
Renter occupied
24.0%

Lifestyle & Demographics

100
Walk score
20
100
Transit score
100
100
Bike score
100
10,763
Population
842
44
Median age
44

Risk & Hazard

Flood class
Bushfire risk

Schools

20
Schools nearby
20
1151
Avg ICSEA
1158

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).