North Melbourne vs West Melbourne
North Melbourne (median $1,326,000) is roughly 7% cheaper to buy into than West Melbourne ($1,430,000).
Buying in North Melbourne or West Melbourne?
Selling in North Melbourne? The free selling guide
North Melbourne and West Melbourne side by side
| Measure | North Melbourne | West Melbourne |
|---|---|---|
| Price and market | ||
| Median house | $1,326,000 | $1,430,000 |
| Median unit | $517,500 | $515,000 |
| Renting | ||
| House rent | $853/wk | $853/wk |
| Unit rent | $660/wk | $660/wk |
| Owner occupied | 33.0% | 32.0% |
| Renter occupied | 64.0% | 65.0% |
| Schools | ||
| Schools nearby | 20 | 20 |
| Average ICSEA | 1053 | 1064 |
| Lifestyle and people | ||
| Walk score | 100 | 4 |
| Transit score | 80 | 0 |
| Bike score | 100 | 100 |
| Population | 14,953 | 8,025 |
| Median age | 31 | 31 |
| Climate | ||
| Annual rainfall | 582 mm | 582 mm |
| Mean max, January | 26.9°C | 26.9°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
North Melbourne scores higher on walkability (100/100 vs 4/100 ), useful if you're optimising for a car-light household. On school quality, the average ICSEA across schools serving West Melbourne (1064) sits above North Melbourne (1053).
- For buyers
- North Melbourne is the lower entry point at $1,326,000 median, 7% below the other suburb. For first home buyers, that translates to a smaller deposit and lower stamp duty bill.
- For investors
- North Melbourne offers the higher gross rental yield (3.35% vs 3.10%), favouring cash-flow investors.
- For families
- West Melbourne edges out on average school ICSEA (1064 vs 1053).
North Melbourne vs West Melbourne: common questions
Is North Melbourne or West Melbourne cheaper to buy in?
North Melbourne has the lower median house price at $1,326,000, roughly 7% below West Melbourne ($1,430,000). The gap on units is usually similar but worth checking on the full suburb profiles.
Does North Melbourne or West Melbourne have better schools?
On average school ICSEA (the ACARA index that benchmarks educational advantage), West Melbourne scores 1064 vs 1053 in North 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.
Which is more walkable, North Melbourne or West Melbourne?
North Melbourne scores 100/100 on walkability vs 4/100. 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, North Melbourne or West Melbourne?
Gross rental yield on houses is 3.35% in North Melbourne vs 3.10% in West Melbourne. 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.
Keep comparing
The two suburbs
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