Clarence Gardens vs Melrose Park

In both, most households own their home and most homes are detached houses. In Clarence Gardens, about half of households are couple families. Houses cost more in Clarence Gardens: a median of $1.36 million, against $1.12 million in Melrose Park. Clarence Gardens is closer to the city centre: 7 km, against 8.4 km. On these figures, Clarence Gardens tends to suit couples, while Melrose Park suits people living alone and buyers on a tighter budget.

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

Clarence Gardens

ahead on 2 of the 6 things we measure here

  • carries lower crime risk (54/100 vs 80/100)
  • is already more of a family suburb (65% vs 50%)
  • But Melrose Park has more parks and reserves (8 vs 3)

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

First-home buyers

Clarence Gardens

ahead on 2 of the 3 things we measure here

  • leaves households under less mortgage stress (21% vs 28%)
  • has cheaper units ($552,500 vs $650,000)
  • But Melrose Park has cheaper houses ($1,120,500 vs $1,360,000)

Weighs house prices, unit prices, and mortgage stress.

Renters

Clarence Gardens

ahead on the one thing that separates them

  • leaves renters under less rental stress (16% vs 22%)

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

Commuting to the city

Melrose Park

ahead on the one thing that separates them

  • is more walkable (88/100 vs 77/100)

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

Downsizers and retirees

Melrose Park

ahead on 2 of the 5 things we measure here

  • has more residents already 65 and over (18% vs 13%)
  • is more walkable (88/100 vs 77/100)
  • But Clarence Gardens carries lower crime risk (54/100 vs 80/100)

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

Investors

Too close to call

Nothing among the 2 things we measure here separates them by enough to be worth acting on.

Weighs house yield and population growth.

Where they sit

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

Clarence Gardens Melrose Park
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.

Clarence Gardens Melrose Park
Walkability 77 / 88
Clarence Gardens — Walkability: 77/100 Melrose Park — Walkability: 88/100
Safety 46 / 20
Clarence Gardens — Safety: 46/100 Melrose Park — Safety: 20/100
Low fire risk 100 / 100
Clarence Gardens — Low fire risk: 100/100 Melrose Park — Low fire risk: 100/100
Low flood risk 25 / 18
Clarence Gardens — Low flood risk: 25/100 Melrose Park — Low flood risk: 18/100

Demographics

Clarence Gardens has higher household incomes ($114,400 vs $82,316).

Clarence Gardens Melrose Park
Population 2,373
+2% vs other
 2,319
Population trend (2016 → 2021) +3.0% +4.9%
Median age 38
same for both
Median household income $114,400/yr
+28% vs other
 $82,316/yr
Median weekly rent $350/wk
same for both

Age profile

Share of residents in each band, 2021 Census.

Clarence Gardens Melrose Park
0-4 6.8% / 6.9%
Clarence Gardens — 0-4: 6.8% Melrose Park — 0-4: 6.9%
5-14 14.3% / 12.0%
Clarence Gardens — 5-14: 14.3% Melrose Park — 5-14: 12.0%
15-19 5.3% / 4.6%
Clarence Gardens — 15-19: 5.3% Melrose Park — 15-19: 4.6%
20-24 6.5% / 5.3%
Clarence Gardens — 20-24: 6.5% Melrose Park — 20-24: 5.3%
25-34 12.3% / 14.5%
Clarence Gardens — 25-34: 12.3% Melrose Park — 25-34: 14.5%
35-44 15.8% / 15.9%
Clarence Gardens — 35-44: 15.8% Melrose Park — 35-44: 15.9%
45-54 14.4% / 11.3%
Clarence Gardens — 45-54: 14.4% Melrose Park — 45-54: 11.3%
55-64 11.9% / 10.9%
Clarence Gardens — 55-64: 11.9% Melrose Park — 55-64: 10.9%
65-74 6.9% / 8.7%
Clarence Gardens — 65-74: 6.9% Melrose Park — 65-74: 8.7%
75-84 3.7% / 5.6%
Clarence Gardens — 75-84: 3.7% Melrose Park — 75-84: 5.6%
85+ 2.5% / 4.1%
Clarence Gardens — 85+: 2.5% Melrose Park — 85+: 4.1%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (15.9%).

Who lives together

Household composition, 2021 Census.

Clarence Gardens 51.8% couple families
Clarence Gardens — Couple Families: 51.8% Clarence Gardens — Lone Person: 28.4% Clarence Gardens — One Parent Families: 13.3% Clarence Gardens — Group Household: 5.3% Clarence Gardens — Other Families: 1.2%
Melrose Park 36.5% couple families
Melrose Park — Couple Families: 36.5% Melrose Park — Lone Person: 43.6% Melrose Park — One Parent Families: 13.4% Melrose Park — Group Household: 4.8% Melrose Park — Other Families: 1.7%
Couple Families Lone Person One Parent Families Group Household Other Families

Who owns and who rents

Occupied private dwellings by tenure, 2021 Census.

Clarence Gardens 22.0% renting
Clarence Gardens — Owned Outright: 31.5% Clarence Gardens — Mortgage: 46.5% Clarence Gardens — Renting: 22.0%
Melrose Park 27.3% renting
Melrose Park — Owned Outright: 32.2% Melrose Park — Mortgage: 40.5% Melrose Park — Renting: 27.3%
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.

Clarence Gardens Melrose Park
England 3.1% / 2.8%
Clarence Gardens — England: 3.1% Melrose Park — England: 2.8%
China 3.4% / 2.4%
Clarence Gardens — China: 3.4% Melrose Park — China: 2.4%
India 1.6% / 2.2%
Clarence Gardens — India: 1.6% Melrose Park — India: 2.2%
Nepal 1.1% / 2.1%
Clarence Gardens — Nepal: 1.1% Melrose Park — Nepal: 2.1%
Greece 1.1% / 1.9%
Clarence Gardens — Greece: 1.1% Melrose Park — Greece: 1.9%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (3.4%).

Qualifications

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

Clarence Gardens Melrose Park
Bachelor Degree 20.1% / 16.7%
Clarence Gardens — Bachelor Degree: 20.1% Melrose Park — Bachelor Degree: 16.7%
Certificate III & IV 10.1% / 12.9%
Clarence Gardens — Certificate III & IV: 10.1% Melrose Park — Certificate III & IV: 12.9%
Advanced Diploma / Diploma 7.9% / 8.2%
Clarence Gardens — Advanced Diploma / Diploma: 7.9% Melrose Park — Advanced Diploma / Diploma: 8.2%
Postgraduate Degree 6.7% / 5.7%
Clarence Gardens — Postgraduate Degree: 6.7% Melrose Park — Postgraduate Degree: 5.7%
Graduate Diploma / Certificate 2.8% / 2.0%
Clarence Gardens — Graduate Diploma / Certificate: 2.8% Melrose Park — Graduate Diploma / Certificate: 2.0%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (20.1%).

What people live in

Occupied private dwellings by structure, 2021 Census.

Clarence Gardens 84.1% houses
Clarence Gardens — Houses: 84.1% Clarence Gardens — Flats / Apartments: 10.4% Clarence Gardens — Townhouses: 5.5%
Melrose Park 74.6% houses
Melrose Park — Houses: 74.6% Melrose Park — Flats / Apartments: 13.8% Melrose Park — Townhouses: 11.6%
Houses Flats / Apartments Townhouses

Property market

Clarence Gardens Melrose Park
Median house price $1,360,000 $1,120,500
Median unit price $552,500 $650,000
Median land price — $740,000
Typical days to sell (houses) 17 days
from 18 sales
 17 days
from 24 sales

House price by bedroom count

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

Clarence Gardens Melrose Park
3 bed $1.19M / $1.1M
Clarence Gardens — 3 bed: $1.19M (24 sales) Melrose Park — 3 bed: $1.1M (27 sales)

24 vs 27 sales

4 bed $1.57M / $1.45M
Clarence Gardens — 4 bed: $1.57M (24 sales) Melrose Park — 4 bed: $1.45M (11 sales)

24 vs 11 sales

Zoning mix

Melrose Park has more industrially zoned land (39% vs 13%).

Clarence Gardens Melrose Park
Residential 81% 61%
Industrial 13% 39%
Parks and recreation 7% 0%
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

Clarence Gardens Melrose Park
New dwellings approved 188
across Mitcham
same for both
Approvals change year on year +32%
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.

Clarence Gardens Melrose Park
Houses 2.8%
$705/wk on $1.31M
 3.2%
$700/wk on $1.12M
Units —
same for both

Ranking within SA

Clarence Gardens Melrose Park
House price Higher than 74% of SA Higher than 54% of SA
Income Higher than 88% of SA Higher than 58% of SA
Schools —
same for both
Walkability Higher than 91% of SA Higher than 97% of SA
Affordability Higher than 55% of SA Higher than 43% of SA
EV adoption Higher than 79% of SA
same for both
NBN connectivity Higher than 88% of SA Higher than 96% of SA
Rental yield (houses) Higher than 11% of SA Higher than 23% of SA

Liveability

Clarence Gardens scores higher overall (70 vs 57); Melrose Park is more walkable (88 vs 77).

Clarence Gardens Melrose Park
Grade A B
Score 70/100 57/100
Socio-economic band very advantaged area
decile 9/10
 advantaged area
decile 7/10

Risk profile

Melrose Park carries more crime risk (80 vs 54).

Clarence Gardens Melrose Park
Bushfire None
0/100
same for both
Crime Moderate
54/100
 High
80/100
Flood High
75/100
 High
82/100
Coastal erosion None
0/100
same for both
Aircraft noise None
0/100
same for both
Industrial facilities nearby 6
within 5 km
 5
within 5 km

Schools

Clarence Gardens Melrose Park
Inside the suburb 0 1
Rated above peers 0
same for both
Rated at peers 0 1
Rated below peers 0
same for both
Universities within 10 km 3
Tonsley, 3.0 km
 3
Tonsley, 1.6 km
Full-time students aged 15–24 3.0% 2.4%

Schools in Clarence Gardens

No schools recorded inside this suburb's boundary. Children here will be zoned to schools nearby.

Schools in Melrose Park

  • Edwardstown Primary School Government · Primary at peers

Amenities in the suburb

Clarence Gardens Melrose Park
Cafes & restaurants 1 5
Parks & reserves 3 8
Childcare 1
same for both
GPs 2 1
Pharmacies 0 1
Banks & Bank@Post 0 1
Fuel stations 0 1
EV chargers 0 1

Mobility

Clarence Gardens Melrose Park
Walkability score 77/100 88/100
Distance to Adelaide 7 km 8.4 km
+20% vs other
Drive time (normal traffic) 12 min 14 min
Public transport score 79/100
Bus
same for both
Peak arrivals per hour 34.8
7-9am + 5-7pm
 57.8
7-9am + 5-7pm
Median peak wait 1 min
scheduled, not actual
same for both
Electric vehicle share 1.1%
postcode 5039
same for both
Rooftop solar per 100 dwellings 55
postcode 5039
same for both

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.

Clarence Gardens Melrose Park
Car (driver) 67.7% / 70.4%
Clarence Gardens — Car (driver): 67.7% Melrose Park — Car (driver): 70.4%
Worked from Home 15.3% / 12.5%
Clarence Gardens — Worked from Home: 15.3% Melrose Park — Worked from Home: 12.5%
Bus 4.8% / 5.9%
Clarence Gardens — Bus: 4.8% Melrose Park — Bus: 5.9%
Car (passenger) 5.3% / 3.7%
Clarence Gardens — Car (passenger): 5.3% Melrose Park — Car (passenger): 3.7%
Walked Only 1.0% / 4.0%
Clarence Gardens — Walked Only: 1.0% Melrose Park — Walked Only: 4.0%
Train 2.8% / 1.3%
Clarence Gardens — Train: 2.8% Melrose Park — Train: 1.3%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (70.4%).

Setting

Clarence Gardens Melrose Park
Elevation 39 m
above sea level, at the suburb centre
same for both
Distance to the ocean 6.0 km 6.2 km

NBN connectivity

Clarence Gardens Melrose Park
Connectivity score 75/100 90/100
Most common technology Hybrid fibre-coaxial Fibre to the premises
Full-fibre (FTTP) share 0%
1,014 premises
 73%
1,393 premises

Climate

Clarence Gardens Melrose Park
Annual rainfall 457 mm 394 mm
Summer max (Jan) 29.1°C 28.1°C
Winter min (Jul) 8.5°C 7.8°C

Air quality (annual mean)

Clarence Gardens Melrose Park
PM2.5 6.0 µg/m³
same for both
PM10 17.8 µg/m³
same for both
NO₂ 1.12 pphm
same for both

Council rates

Clarence Gardens Melrose Park
Average residential rate $2,296/yr
same for both
Council Mitcham
same for both

Federal electorate

Clarence Gardens Melrose Park
Division Boothby
same for both
Member Louise Miller-Frost
same for both
Party Australian Labor Party
same for both

First Home Owner Grant

Clarence Gardens Melrose Park
Grant amount $15,000
same for both
Property price cap —
same for both
Eligibility New
same for both

Tags

Clarence Gardens

Inner Parks Premium Professionals

Melrose Park

Inner Parks

More comparisons

Other comparisons with Clarence Gardens

Clarence Gardens vs Edwardstown Clarence Gardens vs Glandore Clarence Gardens vs Daw Park Clarence Gardens vs Clarence Park Clarence Gardens vs Cumberland Park Clarence Gardens vs Black Forest

Other comparisons with Melrose Park

Melrose Park vs Edwardstown Melrose Park vs Colonel Light Gardens Melrose Park vs Clovelly Park Melrose Park vs Pasadena Melrose Park vs St Marys Melrose Park vs Daw Park
Full data on Clarence Gardens Full data on Melrose Park
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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