Balaclava vs Ripponlea

In both, about half of households rent, most homes are flats or apartments, and about half of households are people living alone. Units cost more in Balaclava: a median of $538,000, against $476,000 in Ripponlea.

Which one suits you?

There is no overall winner — the suburb that suits a family with school-age kids is routinely the wrong one for someone commuting into the city. So each of these answers its own question, against a checklist you can see, using the same figures in the tables below.

Families with school-age kids

They split

one each way, out of the 6 things we measure here

  • Balaclava has more childcare (4 vs 0)
  • Ripponlea carries lower crime risk (65/100 vs 93/100)

Weighs schools, house stock, crime, parks, childcare, and who already lives there.

First-home buyers

They split

one each way, out of the 3 things we measure here

  • Balaclava has cheaper houses ($1,277,500 vs $1,825,500)
  • Ripponlea has cheaper units ($476,250 vs $538,000)

Weighs house prices, unit prices, and mortgage stress.

Renters

Too close to call

Nothing among the 3 things we measure here separates them by enough to be worth acting on.

Weighs rent, rental stress, and how much is for rent.

Commuting to the city

Too close to call

Nothing among the 4 things we measure here separates them by enough to be worth acting on.

Weighs distance, drive time, rail access, and walkability.

Downsizers and retirees

Ripponlea

ahead on the one thing that separates them

  • carries lower crime risk (65/100 vs 93/100)

Weighs smaller dwellings, who already lives there, GPs, walkability, and crime.

Investors

Ripponlea

ahead on the one thing that separates them

  • returns a higher gross yield on units (6.9% vs 4.8%)

Weighs unit yield and population growth.

Where they sit

Balaclava and Ripponlea drawn to the same scale. Both outlines are shown together, so the map answers whether they share a border and how their areas compare.

Balaclava Ripponlea
Hides rows where both suburbs match

Bars start at zero. Scores, risks and rankings are drawn against their full 0–100 range; other rows are drawn in proportion to the larger of the two.

Side by side, out of 100

Risks are inverted — shown as safety and low exposure — so a longer bar always means better.

Balaclava Ripponlea
Walkability 99 / 96
Balaclava — Walkability: 99/100 Ripponlea — Walkability: 96/100
Safety 7 / 35
Balaclava — Safety: 7/100 Ripponlea — Safety: 35/100
Low fire risk 100 / 100
Balaclava — Low fire risk: 100/100 Ripponlea — Low fire risk: 100/100
Low flood risk 33 / 54
Balaclava — Low flood risk: 33/100 Ripponlea — Low flood risk: 54/100

Demographics

Balaclava has more residents (5,392 vs 1,532).

Balaclava Ripponlea
Population 5,392
+72% vs other
 1,532
Population trend (2016 → 2021) -0.1% -2.8%
Median age 35 34
Median household income $105,352/yr $105,196/yr
Median weekly rent $386/wk $391/wk
+1% vs other

Age profile

Share of residents in each band, 2021 Census.

Balaclava Ripponlea
0-4 4.8% / 6.0%
Balaclava — 0-4: 4.8% Ripponlea — 0-4: 6.0%
5-14 8.0% / 11.6%
Balaclava — 5-14: 8.0% Ripponlea — 5-14: 11.6%
15-19 3.1% / 4.6%
Balaclava — 15-19: 3.1% Ripponlea — 15-19: 4.6%
20-24 7.3% / 8.2%
Balaclava — 20-24: 7.3% Ripponlea — 20-24: 8.2%
25-34 26.1% / 20.9%
Balaclava — 25-34: 26.1% Ripponlea — 25-34: 20.9%
35-44 18.4% / 17.4%
Balaclava — 35-44: 18.4% Ripponlea — 35-44: 17.4%
45-54 12.2% / 13.9%
Balaclava — 45-54: 12.2% Ripponlea — 45-54: 13.9%
55-64 8.9% / 9.0%
Balaclava — 55-64: 8.9% Ripponlea — 55-64: 9.0%
65-74 6.8% / 5.0%
Balaclava — 65-74: 6.8% Ripponlea — 65-74: 5.0%
75-84 3.2% / 3.2%
Balaclava — 75-84: 3.2% Ripponlea — 75-84: 3.2%
85+ 1.0% / 1.0%
Balaclava — 85+: 1.0% Ripponlea — 85+: 1.0%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (26.1%).

Who lives together

Household composition, 2021 Census.

Balaclava 52.6% lone person
Balaclava — Lone Person: 52.6% Balaclava — Couple Families: 23.0% Balaclava — Group Household: 14.5% Balaclava — One Parent Families: 7.7% Balaclava — Other Families: 2.2%
Ripponlea 47.6% lone person
Ripponlea — Lone Person: 47.6% Ripponlea — Couple Families: 27.6% Ripponlea — Group Household: 13.0% Ripponlea — One Parent Families: 9.8% Ripponlea — Other Families: 2.0%
Lone Person Couple Families Group Household One Parent Families Other Families

Who owns and who rents

Occupied private dwellings by tenure, 2021 Census.

Balaclava 49.7% renting
Balaclava — Owned Outright: 19.8% Balaclava — Mortgage: 30.6% Balaclava — Renting: 49.7%
Ripponlea 49.2% renting
Ripponlea — Owned Outright: 20.7% Ripponlea — Mortgage: 30.1% Ripponlea — Renting: 49.2%
Owned outright Mortgage Renting

Where residents were born

Largest overseas birthplaces, as a share of all residents, 2021 Census. A dash means that country is not among the suburb's own eight largest.

Balaclava Ripponlea
England 4.7% / 4.5%
Balaclava — England: 4.7% Ripponlea — England: 4.5%
India 2.9% / 2.3%
Balaclava — India: 2.9% Ripponlea — India: 2.3%
New Zealand 2.6% / 2.3%
Balaclava — New Zealand: 2.6% Ripponlea — New Zealand: 2.3%
Ireland 1.6% / 1.6%
Balaclava — Ireland: 1.6% Ripponlea — Ireland: 1.6%
Nepal 1.1% / 1.7%
Balaclava — Nepal: 1.1% Ripponlea — Nepal: 1.7%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (4.7%).

Qualifications

Highest non-school qualification, residents 15+, 2021 Census.

Balaclava Ripponlea
Bachelor Degree 27.2% / 27.2%
Balaclava — Bachelor Degree: 27.2% Ripponlea — Bachelor Degree: 27.2%
Postgraduate Degree 11.5% / 10.2%
Balaclava — Postgraduate Degree: 11.5% Ripponlea — Postgraduate Degree: 10.2%
Advanced Diploma / Diploma 8.8% / 7.7%
Balaclava — Advanced Diploma / Diploma: 8.8% Ripponlea — Advanced Diploma / Diploma: 7.7%
Certificate III & IV 7.1% / 7.6%
Balaclava — Certificate III & IV: 7.1% Ripponlea — Certificate III & IV: 7.6%
Graduate Diploma / Certificate 4.0% / 3.4%
Balaclava — Graduate Diploma / Certificate: 4.0% Ripponlea — Graduate Diploma / Certificate: 3.4%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (27.2%).

What people live in

Occupied private dwellings by structure, 2021 Census.

Balaclava 61.6% flats / apartments
Balaclava — Flats / Apartments: 61.6% Balaclava — Houses: 17.2% Balaclava — Townhouses: 21.2%
Ripponlea 64.8% flats / apartments
Ripponlea — Flats / Apartments: 64.8% Ripponlea — Houses: 20.6% Ripponlea — Townhouses: 14.6%
Flats / Apartments Houses Townhouses

Property market

Balaclava Ripponlea
Median house price $1,277,500 $1,825,500
Median unit price $538,000 $476,250
Median land price —
same for both
Typical days to sell (houses) 18 days
from 12 sales
 26 days
from 6 sales

Unit price by bedroom count

Only bed counts both suburbs published enough sales for. Sale counts are shown because the buckets differ in depth.

Balaclava Ripponlea
1 bed $388K / $330K
Balaclava — 1 bed: $388K (32 sales) Ripponlea — 1 bed: $330K (18 sales)

32 vs 18 sales

2 bed $556K / $575K
Balaclava — 2 bed: $556K (70 sales) Ripponlea — 2 bed: $575K (29 sales)

70 vs 29 sales

Zoning mix

Balaclava Ripponlea
Residential 81% 70%
Infrastructure and transport 8% 22%
Commercial 7%
same for both
Industrial 2% 0%
Parks and recreation 1% 2%
Zoning sets what may be built, not what is there today. A single address can sit in a different zone to the suburb around it. Zones as at 2026-09.

Development activity

Balaclava Ripponlea
New dwellings approved 891
across Port Phillip
same for both
Approvals change year on year +4175%
same for both

Gross rental yield

Gross — before strata, rates, management, insurance and vacancy. From median advertised rents and median asking prices over the last 6 months. How we calculate.

Balaclava Ripponlea
Houses 3.2%
$850/wk on $1.37M
 —
Units 4.8%
$585/wk on $636K
 6.9%
$600/wk on $450K

Ranking within VIC

Balaclava Ripponlea
House price Higher than 89% of VIC Higher than 85% of VIC
Income Higher than 77% of VIC
same for both
Schools —
same for both
Walkability Higher than 99% of VIC Higher than 98% of VIC
Affordability Higher than 11% of VIC Higher than 18% of VIC
EV adoption Higher than 92% of VIC Higher than 97% of VIC
NBN connectivity Higher than 85% of VIC Higher than 83% of VIC
Rental yield (houses) Higher than 24% of VIC —
Rental yield (units) Higher than 51% of VIC Higher than 97% of VIC

Liveability

Ripponlea scores higher overall (84 vs 72).

Balaclava Ripponlea
Grade A A+
Score 72/100 84/100
Socio-economic band very advantaged area
decile 10/10
same for both

Risk profile

Balaclava carries more flood risk (67 vs 46); Balaclava carries more crime risk (93 vs 65).

Balaclava Ripponlea
Bushfire None
0/100
same for both
Crime High
93/100
 Moderate
65/100
Flood Moderate
67/100
 Moderate
46/100
Coastal erosion None
0/100
same for both
Aircraft noise None
0/100
same for both
Industrial facilities nearby 8
within 5 km
same for both

Schools

Balaclava Ripponlea
Inside the suburb 0
same for both
Rated above peers 0
same for both
Rated at peers 0
same for both
Rated below peers 0
same for both
Universities within 10 km 3
Monash Caulfield, 4.3 km
 3
Monash Caulfield, 4.1 km
Full-time students aged 15–24 2.7% 3.2%

Amenities in the suburb

Balaclava Ripponlea
Supermarkets 2 1
Cafes & restaurants 11 7
Parks & reserves 2 1
Childcare 4 0
GPs 0 1
Pharmacies 3 1
Banks & Bank@Post 1
same for both

Mobility

Balaclava Ripponlea
Walkability score 99/100 96/100
Distance to Melbourne 8.6 km 9.2 km
+7% vs other
Drive time (normal traffic) 18 min
same for both
Public transport score 96/100
Rail · Tram · Bus
same for both
Peak arrivals per hour 80.8
7-9am + 5-7pm
 52.8
7-9am + 5-7pm
Median peak wait 1 min
scheduled, not actual
same for both
Electric vehicle share 1.8%
postcode 3183
 2.6%
postcode 3185
Rooftop solar per 100 dwellings 7
postcode 3183
 13
postcode 3185

How people get to work

Method of travel on census day 2021 — which fell during COVID restrictions, so working from home is inflated and every travel mode understated.

Balaclava Ripponlea
Worked from Home 51.1% / 48.8%
Balaclava — Worked from Home: 51.1% Ripponlea — Worked from Home: 48.8%
Car (driver) 28.4% / 30.8%
Balaclava — Car (driver): 28.4% Ripponlea — Car (driver): 30.8%
Train 8.3% / 9.6%
Balaclava — Train: 8.3% Ripponlea — Train: 9.6%
Walked Only 4.6% / 3.0%
Balaclava — Walked Only: 4.6% Ripponlea — Walked Only: 3.0%
Car (passenger) 2.0% / 3.5%
Balaclava — Car (passenger): 2.0% Ripponlea — Car (passenger): 3.5%
Tram / Light Rail 3.0% / 1.9%
Balaclava — Tram / Light Rail: 3.0% Ripponlea — Tram / Light Rail: 1.9%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (51.1%).

Setting

Balaclava Ripponlea
Elevation 14 m
above sea level, at the suburb centre
 17 m
above sea level, at the suburb centre
Distance to the ocean 1.7 km
1.9 km to a named beach
 1.6 km
2.2 km to a named beach

NBN connectivity

Balaclava Ripponlea
Connectivity score 76/100 75/100
Most common technology Hybrid fibre-coaxial
same for both
Full-fibre (FTTP) share 5%
3,469 premises
 0%
883 premises

Climate

Balaclava Ripponlea
Annual rainfall 644 mm
same for both
Summer max (Jan) 26.0°C
same for both
Winter min (Jul) 6.9°C
same for both

Air quality (annual mean)

Balaclava Ripponlea
PM2.5 7.6 µg/m³
same for both
PM10 —
same for both
NO₂ —
same for both

Council rates

Balaclava Ripponlea
Average residential rate $1,765/yr
same for both
Council Port Phillip
same for both

Federal electorate

Balaclava Ripponlea
Division Macnamara
same for both
Member Josh Burns
same for both
Party Australian Labor Party
same for both

First Home Owner Grant

Balaclava Ripponlea
Grant amount $10,000
same for both
Property price cap $750,000
same for both
Eligibility New
same for both

Tags

Balaclava

Apartments Cafe Culture Coastal Easy Commute Gentrifying Inner Parks Professionals Townhouses Trams Transport Hub Urban

Ripponlea

Affordable Apartments Coastal Easy Commute Inner Parks Professionals Trains Trams Transport Hub Urban

More comparisons

Other comparisons with Balaclava

Balaclava vs St Kilda Balaclava vs Elwood Balaclava vs St Kilda East

Other comparisons with Ripponlea

Ripponlea vs Elwood Ripponlea vs St Kilda East Ripponlea vs Elsternwick
Full data on Balaclava Full data on Ripponlea
Unlock full address-level data — $29/month

Information shown is provided as-is from Australian government and commercial data sources.
Always verify with the relevant authority before making property decisions.
See Data Sources and How We Calculate for details.

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