Mitcham vs Forest Hill

Forest Hill (median $1,180,000) is roughly 4% cheaper to buy into than Mitcham ($1,235,000).

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Mitcham and Forest Hill side by side

MeasureMitchamForest Hill
Price and market
Median house$1,235,000$1,180,000
Median unit$785,000$760,000
Renting
House rent$625/wk$630/wk
Unit rent$520/wk$578/wk
Schools
Schools nearby2020
Average ICSEA11051102
Lifestyle and people
Walk score7448
Transit score060
Bike score100100
Climate
Annual rainfall799 mm786 mm
Mean max, January26.8°C26.5°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

Mitcham scores higher on walkability (74/100 vs 48/100 ), useful if you're optimising for a car-light household. On school quality, the average ICSEA across schools serving Mitcham (1105) sits above Forest Hill (1102).

For buyers
Forest Hill is the lower entry point at $1,180,000 median, 4% below the other suburb. For first home buyers, that translates to a smaller deposit and lower stamp duty bill.
For investors
Forest Hill offers the higher gross rental yield (2.78% vs 2.63%), favouring cash-flow investors.
For families
Mitcham edges out on average school ICSEA (1105 vs 1102).

Mitcham vs Forest Hill: common questions

Is Mitcham or Forest Hill cheaper to buy in?

Forest Hill has the lower median house price at $1,180,000, roughly 4% below Mitcham ($1,235,000). The gap on units is usually similar but worth checking on the full suburb profiles.

Does Mitcham or Forest Hill have better schools?

On average school ICSEA (the ACARA index that benchmarks educational advantage), Mitcham scores 1105 vs 1102 in Forest Hill. 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, Mitcham or Forest Hill?

Mitcham scores 74/100 on walkability vs 48/100. 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, Mitcham or Forest Hill?

Gross rental yield on houses is 2.78% in Forest Hill vs 2.63% in Mitcham. 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.