Fraser vs Melba

Melba is the younger of the two, with a median age of 38 against 41 in Fraser. In both, the large majority of households own their home and the large majority of homes are detached houses. In Fraser, most households are couple families. In Melba, about half of households are couple families. Melba is closer to the city centre: 15 km, against 17.9 km.

Fraser is a quieter, more affluent suburb with a median household income of $136,136 compared to Melba's $120,952, and notably lower crime risk at 16 versus 47. However, it comes with higher property prices—median houses at $1,024,000 and units at $768,500—and sits further from the CBD at 17.9 km. Melba is closer to the city at 15 km and more walkable, but carries significantly higher flood risk at 53 and lower liveability scores. Fraser suits buyers prioritising safety and income demographics; Melba appeals to those valuing proximity and walkability, though flood risk warrants consideration.

Written by an AI language model from the figures below. Every number in it is checked against those figures before it is published.

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

Fraser

ahead on 3 of the 6 things we measure here

  • carries lower crime risk (16/100 vs 48/100)
  • has more separate houses rather than flats (96% vs 80%)
  • is already more of a family suburb (76% vs 66%)
  • But Melba has more schools inside the suburb (3 vs 1)

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

First-home buyers

Melba

ahead on the one thing that separates them

  • has cheaper units ($599,000 vs $768,500)

Weighs house prices, unit prices, and mortgage stress.

Renters

Melba

ahead on 2 of the 3 things we measure here

  • has a bigger rental market to choose from (21% vs 10%)
  • has cheaper rent ($400/wk vs $450/wk)

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

Commuting to the city

Melba

ahead on the one thing that separates them

  • sits closer to the CBD (15 km vs 17.9 km)

Weighs distance, drive time, and walkability.

Downsizers and retirees

They split

one each way, out of the 5 things we measure here

  • Fraser carries lower crime risk (16/100 vs 48/100)
  • Melba has more units and townhouses to downsize into (20% vs 4%)

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

Investors

Too close to call

Nothing among the 1 things we measure here separates them by enough to be worth acting on.

Weighs population growth.

Where they sit

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

Fraser Melba
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.

Fraser Melba
Walkability 47 / 53
Fraser — Walkability: 47/100 Melba — Walkability: 53/100
Safety 84 / 52
Fraser — Safety: 84/100 Melba — Safety: 52/100
Low fire risk 55 / 67
Fraser — Low fire risk: 55/100 Melba — Low fire risk: 67/100
Low flood risk 100 / 49
Fraser — Low flood risk: 100/100 Melba — Low flood risk: 49/100

Demographics

Melba has more residents (3,383 vs 2,126); Fraser has higher household incomes ($136,136 vs $120,952).

Fraser Melba
Population 2,126 3,383
+59% vs other
Population trend (2016 → 2021) +4.9% +7.5%
Median age 41 38
Median household income $136,136/yr
+11% vs other
 $120,952/yr
Median weekly rent $450/wk
+11% vs other
 $400/wk

Age profile

Share of residents in each band, 2021 Census.

Fraser Melba
0-4 4.6% / 7.1%
Fraser — 0-4: 4.6% Melba — 0-4: 7.1%
5-14 15.4% / 15.0%
Fraser — 5-14: 15.4% Melba — 5-14: 15.0%
15-19 6.3% / 5.5%
Fraser — 15-19: 6.3% Melba — 15-19: 5.5%
20-24 5.5% / 5.5%
Fraser — 20-24: 5.5% Melba — 20-24: 5.5%
25-34 9.3% / 11.3%
Fraser — 25-34: 9.3% Melba — 25-34: 11.3%
35-44 14.6% / 14.8%
Fraser — 35-44: 14.6% Melba — 35-44: 14.8%
45-54 13.6% / 13.5%
Fraser — 45-54: 13.6% Melba — 45-54: 13.5%
55-64 11.4% / 10.2%
Fraser — 55-64: 11.4% Melba — 55-64: 10.2%
65-74 14.3% / 9.6%
Fraser — 65-74: 14.3% Melba — 65-74: 9.6%
75-84 4.7% / 6.4%
Fraser — 75-84: 4.7% Melba — 75-84: 6.4%
85+ 0.8% / 1.0%
Fraser — 85+: 0.8% Melba — 85+: 1.0%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (15.4%).

Who lives together

Household composition, 2021 Census.

Fraser 58.5% couple families
Fraser — Couple Families: 58.5% Fraser — Lone Person: 21.1% Fraser — One Parent Families: 17.6% Fraser — Group Household: 2.2% Fraser — Other Families: 0.6%
Melba 50.9% couple families
Melba — Couple Families: 50.9% Melba — Lone Person: 28.9% Melba — One Parent Families: 15.5% Melba — Group Household: 3.7% Melba — Other Families: 1.0%
Couple Families Lone Person One Parent Families Group Household Other Families

Who owns and who rents

Occupied private dwellings by tenure, 2021 Census.

Fraser 10.5% renting
Fraser — Owned Outright: 41.0% Fraser — Mortgage: 48.6% Fraser — Renting: 10.5%
Melba 20.9% renting
Melba — Owned Outright: 35.1% Melba — Mortgage: 44.0% Melba — Renting: 20.9%
Owned outright Mortgage Renting

Qualifications

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

Fraser Melba
Bachelor Degree 17.1% / 17.3%
Fraser — Bachelor Degree: 17.1% Melba — Bachelor Degree: 17.3%
Certificate III & IV 11.1% / 10.7%
Fraser — Certificate III & IV: 11.1% Melba — Certificate III & IV: 10.7%
Advanced Diploma / Diploma 9.3% / 8.2%
Fraser — Advanced Diploma / Diploma: 9.3% Melba — Advanced Diploma / Diploma: 8.2%
Postgraduate Degree 5.7% / 8.6%
Fraser — Postgraduate Degree: 5.7% Melba — Postgraduate Degree: 8.6%
Graduate Diploma / Certificate 3.7% / 3.3%
Fraser — Graduate Diploma / Certificate: 3.7% Melba — Graduate Diploma / Certificate: 3.3%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (17.3%).

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.

Fraser Melba
England 4.0% / 3.0%
Fraser — England: 4.0% Melba — England: 3.0%
China 0.7% / 1.7%
Fraser — China: 0.7% Melba — China: 1.7%
New Zealand 0.9% / 1.3%
Fraser — New Zealand: 0.9% Melba — New Zealand: 1.3%
India 0.5% / 1.3%
Fraser — India: 0.5% Melba — India: 1.3%
Germany 0.8% / 0.8%
Fraser — Germany: 0.8% Melba — Germany: 0.8%
Scotland 1.0% / —
Fraser — Scotland: 1.0% Melba — Scotland: not among its largest

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (4.0%).

What people live in

Occupied private dwellings by structure, 2021 Census.

Fraser 95.9% houses
Fraser — Houses: 95.9% Fraser — Townhouses: 3.7% Fraser — Flats / Apartments: 0.4%
Melba 80.2% houses
Melba — Houses: 80.2% Melba — Townhouses: 17.5% Melba — Flats / Apartments: 2.3%
Houses Townhouses Flats / Apartments

Property market

Fraser Melba
Median house price $1,000,000 $930,000
Median unit price $768,500 $599,000
Median land price —
same for both
Typical days to sell (houses) 25 days
from 41 sales
 24 days
from 46 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.

Fraser Melba
3 bed $938K / $865K
Fraser — 3 bed: $938K (14 sales) Melba — 3 bed: $865K (29 sales)

14 vs 29 sales

4 bed $1M / $995K
Fraser — 4 bed: $1M (33 sales) Melba — 4 bed: $995K (35 sales)

33 vs 35 sales

5 bed $1.17M / $1.11M
Fraser — 5 bed: $1.17M (8 sales) Melba — 5 bed: $1.11M (8 sales)

8 vs 8 sales

Development activity

Fraser Melba
New dwellings approved 3,750
across Unincorporated ACT
same for both
Approvals change year on year -48%
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.

Fraser Melba
Houses — 5.0%
$780/wk on $818K
Units —
same for both

Ranking within ACT

Fraser Melba
House price —
same for both
Income Higher than 70% of ACT Higher than 43% of ACT
Schools — Higher than 27% of ACT
Walkability Higher than 30% of ACT Higher than 36% of ACT
Affordability —
same for both
EV adoption Higher than 11% of ACT Higher than 18% of ACT
NBN connectivity Higher than 19% of ACT Higher than 31% of ACT
Rental yield (houses) — Higher than 87% of ACT

Liveability

Fraser scores higher overall (48 vs 33).

Fraser Melba
Grade C D
Score 48/100 33/100
Socio-economic band very advantaged area
decile 10/10
 very advantaged area
decile 9/10

Risk profile

Melba carries more flood risk (51 vs 0); Melba carries more crime risk (48 vs 16).

Fraser Melba
Bushfire Moderate
45/100
 Low
33/100
Crime Low
16/100
 Moderate
48/100
Flood None
0/100
 Moderate
51/100
Coastal erosion None
0/100
same for both
Aircraft noise Not mapped
no mapped data here
same for both
Industrial facilities nearby 0
within 5 km
 1
within 5 km

Schools

Fraser Melba
Inside the suburb 1 3
Rated above peers 0
same for both
Rated at peers 0
same for both
Rated below peers 1 2
Universities within 10 km 1
UC - Canberra, Bruce, 7.3 km
 2
UC - Canberra, Bruce, 5.2 km
Full-time students aged 15–24 1.2% 1.7%

Schools in Fraser

  • Fraser Primary School Government · Primary below peers

Schools in Melba

  • Melba Copland Secondary School Copland Campus Years 10 - 12 Government · Secondary below peers
  • Mount Rogers Primary School Government · Primary below peers
  • Melba Copland Secondary School Copland Campus Years 7 - 9 Government · Secondary

Amenities in the suburb

Fraser Melba
Supermarkets 0 1
Cafes & restaurants 2
same for both
Childcare 2 3
Fuel stations 0 1

Mobility

Fraser sits further from the CBD (17.9 km vs 15 km).

Fraser Melba
Walkability score 47/100 53/100
Distance to Canberra 17.9 km
+16% vs other
 15 km
Drive time (normal traffic) 24 min 22 min
Public transport score 79/100
Bus
same for both
Peak arrivals per hour 77.5
7-9am + 5-7pm
 77.8
7-9am + 5-7pm
Median peak wait 1 min
scheduled, not actual
 0 min
scheduled, not actual
Electric vehicle share 2.1%
postcode 2615
same for both
Rooftop solar per 100 dwellings 40
postcode 2615
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.

Fraser Melba
Car (driver) 76.2% / 73.5%
Fraser — Car (driver): 76.2% Melba — Car (driver): 73.5%
Worked from Home 14.7% / 14.9%
Fraser — Worked from Home: 14.7% Melba — Worked from Home: 14.9%
Car (passenger) 5.4% / 5.4%
Fraser — Car (passenger): 5.4% Melba — Car (passenger): 5.4%
Bus 2.1% / 4.5%
Fraser — Bus: 2.1% Melba — Bus: 4.5%
Bicycle 0.9% / 1.2%
Fraser — Bicycle: 0.9% Melba — Bicycle: 1.2%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (76.2%).

Setting

Fraser Melba
Elevation 612 m
above sea level, at the suburb centre
 588 m
above sea level, at the suburb centre

NBN connectivity

Fraser Melba
Connectivity score 46/100 47/100
Most common technology Fibre to the node
same for both
Full-fibre (FTTP) share 1%
813 premises
 4%
1,323 premises

Climate

Fraser Melba
Annual rainfall 622 mm
same for both
Summer max (Jan) 28.5°C
same for both
Winter min (Jul) 0.8°C
same for both

Air quality (annual mean)

Fraser Melba
PM2.5 6.6 µg/m³
same for both
PM10 11.0 µg/m³
same for both
NO₂ 0.41 pphm
same for both

Council rates

Fraser Melba
Average residential rate $3,105/yr
same for both
Council Unincorporated ACT
same for both

Federal electorate

Fraser Melba
Division Fenner
same for both
Member Andrew Leigh
same for both
Party Australian Labor Party
same for both

First Home Owner Grant

Fraser Melba
Grant amount Not offered
same for both
Property price cap —
same for both
Eligibility None
same for both

Tags

Fraser

Large Blocks Middle-Ring Quiet

Melba

Family Middle-Ring Professionals Quiet

More comparisons

Other comparisons with Fraser

Fraser vs Belconnen Fraser vs Dunlop Fraser vs Flynn Fraser vs Charnwood Fraser vs Spence

Other comparisons with Melba

Melba vs Evatt Melba vs Florey Melba vs Latham Melba vs Flynn Melba vs Spence
Full data on Fraser Full data on Melba
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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