Melbourne vs South Melbourne
Melbourne (median $440,000) is roughly 75% cheaper to buy into than South Melbourne ($1,760,000).
Buying in Melbourne or South Melbourne?
Selling in Melbourne? The free selling guide
Melbourne and South Melbourne side by side
| Measure | Melbourne | South Melbourne |
|---|---|---|
| Price and market | ||
| Median house | $440,000 | $1,760,000 |
| Median unit | $567,500 | $587,500 |
| Renting | ||
| House rent | – | $950/wk |
| Unit rent | – | $700/wk |
| Owner occupied | 26.0% | 42.0% |
| Renter occupied | 71.0% | 55.0% |
| Schools | ||
| Schools nearby | 20 | 20 |
| Average ICSEA | 1107 | 1124 |
| Lifestyle and people | ||
| Walk score | 100 | – |
| Transit score | 0 | – |
| Bike score | 100 | – |
| Population | 54,941 | 11,548 |
| Median age | 29 | 39 |
| Climate | ||
| Annual rainfall | 625 mm | 578 mm |
| Mean max, January | 26.6°C | 26.6°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 South Melbourne (1124) sits above Melbourne (1107). South Melbourne skews owner-occupied (42%), Melbourne runs more rental-dense (26% owner).
- For buyers
- Melbourne is the lower entry point at $440,000 median, 75% below the other suburb. For first home buyers, that translates to a smaller deposit and lower stamp duty bill.
- For investors
- Rental or growth data is incomplete for one or both suburbs. Look at the full investor view on each suburb profile for a complete picture.
- For families
- South Melbourne edges out on average school ICSEA (1124 vs 1107). South Melbourne also has a higher family-household share (51% vs 38%), so the catchment community skews family-heavy.
Melbourne vs South Melbourne: common questions
Is Melbourne or South Melbourne cheaper to buy in?
Melbourne has the lower median house price at $440,000, roughly 75% below South Melbourne ($1,760,000). The gap on units is usually similar but worth checking on the full suburb profiles.
Does Melbourne or South Melbourne have better schools?
On average school ICSEA (the ACARA index that benchmarks educational advantage), South Melbourne scores 1124 vs 1107 in Melbourne. 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.
Keep comparing
The two suburbs
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