Port Melbourne vs Docklands.
Comparing two suburbs with median house prices of $1,500,000 and $440,000. Docklands edges out on more headline metrics in this comparison.
Docklands (median $440,000) is roughly 241% cheaper to buy into than Port Melbourne ($1,500,000).
Docklands scores higher on walkability (32/100 vs 100/100 ), useful if you're optimising for a car-light household. On school quality, the average ICSEA across schools serving Port Melbourne (1112) sits above Docklands (1077). Port Melbourne skews owner-occupied (54%), Docklands runs more rental-dense (30% owner).
For buyers
Docklands is the lower entry point at $440,000 median, 241% below the other suburb. For first home buyers, that translates to a smaller deposit and lower stamp duty bill.
For investors
Docklands offers the higher gross rental yield (8.27% vs 2.76%), favouring cash-flow investors.
For families
Port Melbourne edges out on average school ICSEA (1112 vs 1077).
Common questions
Is Port Melbourne or Docklands cheaper to buy in?
Docklands has the lower median house price at $440,000, roughly 241% below Port Melbourne ($1,500,000). The gap on units is usually similar but worth checking on the full suburb profiles.
Does Port Melbourne or Docklands have better schools?
On average school ICSEA (the ACARA index that benchmarks educational advantage), Port Melbourne scores 1112 vs 1077 in Docklands. 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, Port Melbourne or Docklands?
Docklands scores 100/100 on walkability vs 32/100. 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, Port Melbourne or Docklands?
Gross rental yield on houses is 8.27% in Docklands vs 2.76% in Port 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.
The numbers behind the take
Price & Market
Rental
Lifestyle & Demographics
Risk & Hazard
Schools
Climate
Green dot = better on that metric (lower price, higher growth, higher walkability, lower risk).
Compare Port Melbourne against another suburb