Port Melbourne vs West Melbourne
West Melbourne (median $1,430,000) is roughly 5% cheaper to buy into than Port Melbourne ($1,500,000).
Buying in Port Melbourne or West Melbourne?
Selling in Port Melbourne? The free selling guide
Port Melbourne and West Melbourne side by side
| Measure | Port Melbourne | West Melbourne |
|---|---|---|
| Price and market | ||
| Median house | $1,500,000 | $1,430,000 |
| Median unit | $685,000 | $515,000 |
| Renting | ||
| House rent | $980/wk | $853/wk |
| Unit rent | $745/wk | $660/wk |
| Owner occupied | 54.0% | 32.0% |
| Renter occupied | 43.0% | 65.0% |
| Schools | ||
| Schools nearby | 20 | 20 |
| Average ICSEA | 1112 | 1064 |
| Lifestyle and people | ||
| Walk score | 32 | 4 |
| Transit score | 0 | 0 |
| Bike score | 100 | 100 |
| Population | 17,633 | 8,025 |
| Median age | 42 | 31 |
| Climate | ||
| Annual rainfall | 555 mm | 582 mm |
| Mean max, January | 26.5°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
Port Melbourne scores higher on walkability (32/100 vs 4/100 ), useful if you're optimising for a car-light household. On school quality, the average ICSEA across schools serving Port Melbourne (1112) sits above West Melbourne (1064). Port Melbourne skews owner-occupied (54%), West Melbourne runs more rental-dense (32% owner).
- For buyers
- West Melbourne is the lower entry point at $1,430,000 median, 5% below the other suburb. For first home buyers, that translates to a smaller deposit and lower stamp duty bill.
- For investors
- Port Melbourne offers the higher gross rental yield (3.40% vs 3.10%), favouring cash-flow investors.
- For families
- Port Melbourne edges out on average school ICSEA (1112 vs 1064). Port Melbourne also has a higher family-household share (59% vs 48%), so the catchment community skews family-heavy.
Port Melbourne vs West Melbourne: common questions
Is Port Melbourne or West Melbourne cheaper to buy in?
West Melbourne has the lower median house price at $1,430,000, roughly 5% 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 West Melbourne have better schools?
On average school ICSEA (the ACARA index that benchmarks educational advantage), Port Melbourne scores 1112 vs 1064 in West 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, Port Melbourne or West Melbourne?
Port Melbourne scores 32/100 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, Port Melbourne or West Melbourne?
Gross rental yield on houses is 3.40% in Port 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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