Keysborough vs Dandenong

Dandenong is the younger of the two, with a median age of 33 against 36 in Keysborough. In Keysborough, the large majority of households own their home, the large majority of homes are detached houses, and most households are couple families. In Dandenong, most households rent. Houses cost more in Keysborough: a median of $1 million, against $750,000 in Dandenong, and rent is higher there too. Dandenong is closer to the city centre: 34.2 km, against 38.1 km. On these figures, Keysborough tends to suit couples, while Dandenong suits renters, 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

Keysborough

ahead on 4 of the 6 things we measure here

  • has more separate houses rather than flats (90% vs 41%)
  • carries lower crime risk (64/100 vs 95/100)
  • is already more of a family suburb (79% vs 56%)
  • But Dandenong has more childcare (27 vs 19)

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

First-home buyers

Dandenong

ahead on 3 of the 4 things we measure here

  • has cheaper units ($400,000 vs $664,000)
  • has cheaper land ($770,000 vs $1,185,500)
  • has cheaper houses ($750,000 vs $1,000,000)

Weighs house prices, unit prices, land prices, and mortgage stress.

Renters

Dandenong

ahead on 2 of the 3 things we measure here

  • has a bigger rental market to choose from (55% vs 19%)
  • has cheaper rent ($319/wk vs $421/wk)

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

Commuting to the city

Dandenong

ahead on 2 of the 4 things we measure here

  • is more walkable (95/100 vs 66/100)
  • sits closer to the CBD (34.2 km vs 38.1 km)

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

Downsizers and retirees

Dandenong

ahead on 3 of the 5 things we measure here

  • has more units and townhouses to downsize into (59% vs 10%)
  • has more GPs (22 vs 6)
  • is more walkable (95/100 vs 66/100)
  • But Keysborough carries lower crime risk (64/100 vs 95/100)

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

Investors

They split

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

  • Keysborough is growing faster (16.4% vs 0.7%)
  • Dandenong returns a higher gross yield on units (6.0% vs 4.6%)

Weighs house yield, unit yield, and population growth.

Where they sit

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

Keysborough Dandenong
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.

Keysborough Dandenong
Walkability 66 / 95
Keysborough — Walkability: 66/100 Dandenong — Walkability: 95/100
Safety 36 / 5
Keysborough — Safety: 36/100 Dandenong — Safety: 5/100
Low fire risk 100 / 100
Keysborough — Low fire risk: 100/100 Dandenong — Low fire risk: 100/100
Low flood risk 47 / 46
Keysborough — Low flood risk: 47/100 Dandenong — Low flood risk: 46/100

Demographics

Keysborough has higher household incomes ($103,532 vs $65,884); Keysborough rents higher ($421/wk vs $319/wk).

Keysborough Dandenong
Population 30,018 30,127
Population trend (2016 → 2021) +16.4% +0.7%
Median age 36 33
Median household income $103,532/yr
+36% vs other
 $65,884/yr
Median weekly rent $421/wk
+24% vs other
 $319/wk

Age profile

Share of residents in each band, 2021 Census.

Keysborough Dandenong
0-4 6.2% / 7.1%
Keysborough — 0-4: 6.2% Dandenong — 0-4: 7.1%
5-14 13.4% / 11.9%
Keysborough — 5-14: 13.4% Dandenong — 5-14: 11.9%
15-19 6.3% / 4.9%
Keysborough — 15-19: 6.3% Dandenong — 15-19: 4.9%
20-24 6.6% / 7.4%
Keysborough — 20-24: 6.6% Dandenong — 20-24: 7.4%
25-34 14.2% / 20.7%
Keysborough — 25-34: 14.2% Dandenong — 25-34: 20.7%
35-44 15.7% / 15.7%
Keysborough — 35-44: 15.7% Dandenong — 35-44: 15.7%
45-54 12.8% / 10.6%
Keysborough — 45-54: 12.8% Dandenong — 45-54: 10.6%
55-64 10.6% / 9.0%
Keysborough — 55-64: 10.6% Dandenong — 55-64: 9.0%
65-74 8.4% / 6.6%
Keysborough — 65-74: 8.4% Dandenong — 65-74: 6.6%
75-84 4.3% / 4.1%
Keysborough — 75-84: 4.3% Dandenong — 75-84: 4.1%
85+ 1.5% / 2.1%
Keysborough — 85+: 1.5% Dandenong — 85+: 2.1%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (20.7%).

Who lives together

Household composition, 2021 Census.

Keysborough 61.8% couple families
Keysborough — Couple Families: 61.8% Keysborough — Lone Person: 16.0% Keysborough — One Parent Families: 17.5% Keysborough — Group Household: 2.9% Keysborough — Other Families: 1.7%
Dandenong 39.2% couple families
Dandenong — Couple Families: 39.2% Dandenong — Lone Person: 32.9% Dandenong — One Parent Families: 16.6% Dandenong — Group Household: 8.9% Dandenong — Other Families: 2.3%
Couple Families Lone Person One Parent Families Group Household Other Families

Who owns and who rents

Occupied private dwellings by tenure, 2021 Census.

Keysborough 19.2% renting
Keysborough — Owned Outright: 32.7% Keysborough — Mortgage: 48.1% Keysborough — Renting: 19.2%
Dandenong 55.0% renting
Dandenong — Owned Outright: 20.5% Dandenong — Mortgage: 24.5% Dandenong — Renting: 55.0%
Owned outright Mortgage Renting

Qualifications

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

Keysborough Dandenong
Bachelor Degree 14.4% / 9.9%
Keysborough — Bachelor Degree: 14.4% Dandenong — Bachelor Degree: 9.9%
Certificate III & IV 8.3% / 8.4%
Keysborough — Certificate III & IV: 8.3% Dandenong — Certificate III & IV: 8.4%
Advanced Diploma / Diploma 7.4% / 6.9%
Keysborough — Advanced Diploma / Diploma: 7.4% Dandenong — Advanced Diploma / Diploma: 6.9%
Postgraduate Degree 5.0% / 4.4%
Keysborough — Postgraduate Degree: 5.0% Dandenong — Postgraduate Degree: 4.4%
Graduate Diploma / Certificate 1.5% / 0.9%
Keysborough — Graduate Diploma / Certificate: 1.5% Dandenong — Graduate Diploma / Certificate: 0.9%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (14.4%).

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.

Keysborough Dandenong
India 6.6% / 9.5%
Keysborough — India: 6.6% Dandenong — India: 9.5%
Afghanistan — / 11.5%
Keysborough — Afghanistan: not among its largest Dandenong — Afghanistan: 11.5%
Vietnam 8.6% / 1.7%
Keysborough — Vietnam: 8.6% Dandenong — Vietnam: 1.7%
Sri Lanka 3.8% / 5.4%
Keysborough — Sri Lanka: 3.8% Dandenong — Sri Lanka: 5.4%
China 5.1% / 2.5%
Keysborough — China: 5.1% Dandenong — China: 2.5%
Pakistan — / 4.0%
Keysborough — Pakistan: not among its largest Dandenong — Pakistan: 4.0%
Philippines 1.6% / 1.8%
Keysborough — Philippines: 1.6% Dandenong — Philippines: 1.8%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (11.5%).

What people live in

Occupied private dwellings by structure, 2021 Census.

Keysborough 89.5% houses
Keysborough — Houses: 89.5% Keysborough — Townhouses: 9.4% Keysborough — Flats / Apartments: 1.1%
Dandenong 41.4% houses
Dandenong — Houses: 41.4% Dandenong — Townhouses: 39.0% Dandenong — Flats / Apartments: 19.6%
Houses Townhouses Flats / Apartments

Property market

Keysborough Dandenong
Median house price $1,000,000 $750,000
Median unit price $664,000 $400,000
Median land price $1,185,500 $770,000
Typical days to sell (houses) 24 days
from 276 sales
 28 days
from 207 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.

Keysborough Dandenong
2 bed $618K / $390K
Keysborough — 2 bed: $618K (12 sales) Dandenong — 2 bed: $390K (341 sales)

12 vs 341 sales

3 bed $676K / $592K
Keysborough — 3 bed: $676K (10 sales) Dandenong — 3 bed: $592K (78 sales)

10 vs 78 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.

Keysborough Dandenong
2 bed $690K / $510K
Keysborough — 2 bed: $690K (13 sales) Dandenong — 2 bed: $510K (50 sales)

13 vs 50 sales

3 bed $900K / $750K
Keysborough — 3 bed: $900K (202 sales) Dandenong — 3 bed: $750K (175 sales)

202 vs 175 sales

4 bed $1.14M / $865K
Keysborough — 4 bed: $1.14M (159 sales) Dandenong — 4 bed: $865K (58 sales)

159 vs 58 sales

5 bed $1.44M / $1.13M
Keysborough — 5 bed: $1.44M (56 sales) Dandenong — 5 bed: $1.13M (12 sales)

56 vs 12 sales

6 bed $1.58M / $805K
Keysborough — 6 bed: $1.58M (5 sales) Dandenong — 6 bed: $805K (5 sales)

5 vs 5 sales

Zoning mix

Keysborough has more rural and farming land (26% vs 0%).

Keysborough Dandenong
Residential 37% 50%
Rural and farming 26% 0%
Infrastructure and transport 17% 19%
Industrial 12% 9%
Parks and recreation 5% 9%
Other and special use 1% 8%
Commercial 3% 4%
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

Keysborough Dandenong
New dwellings approved 594
across Greater Dandenong
same for both
Approvals change year on year -34%
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.

Keysborough Dandenong
Houses 4.4%
$750/wk on $885K
 4.0%
$575/wk on $741K
Units 4.6%
$600/wk on $679K
 6.0%
$492/wk on $430K

Ranking within VIC

Keysborough Dandenong
House price Higher than 66% of VIC Higher than 50% of VIC
Income — Higher than 26% of VIC
Schools Higher than 76% of VIC Higher than 52% of VIC
Walkability Higher than 89% of VIC Higher than 98% of VIC
Affordability — Higher than 27% of VIC
EV adoption Higher than 93% of VIC Higher than 75% of VIC
NBN connectivity Higher than 98% of VIC Higher than 87% of VIC
Rental yield (houses) Higher than 88% of VIC Higher than 70% of VIC
Rental yield (units) Higher than 38% of VIC Higher than 92% of VIC

Liveability

Dandenong is more walkable (95 vs 66); Keysborough scores higher overall (63 vs 44).

Keysborough Dandenong
Grade B C
Score 63/100 44/100
Socio-economic band mid-range socio-economic
decile 6/10
 high-need area
decile 1/10

Risk profile

Dandenong carries more crime risk (95 vs 64).

Keysborough Dandenong
Bushfire None
0/100
same for both
Crime Moderate
64/100
 High
95/100
Flood Moderate
53/100
 Moderate
54/100
Coastal erosion None
0/100
same for both
Aircraft noise None
0/100
same for both
Industrial facilities nearby 27
within 5 km
 30
within 5 km

Schools

Keysborough Dandenong
Inside the suburb 11 14
Rated above peers 4 3
Rated at peers 2 3
Rated below peers 0 2

Schools in Keysborough

  • Haileybury College - Keysborough Boys Independent · Combined above peers
  • Keysborough Gardens Primary School Government · Primary above peers
  • Lighthouse Christian College Independent · Combined above peers
  • Mt Hira College Independent · Combined above peers
  • Chandler Park Primary School Government · Primary at peers
  • Resurrection School Catholic · Primary at peers

Schools in Dandenong

  • Dandenong North Primary School Government · Primary above peers
  • Dandenong South Primary School Government · Primary above peers
  • St John's Regional College Catholic · Secondary above peers
  • Dandenong High School Government · Secondary at peers
  • Dandenong Primary School Government · Primary at peers
  • Dandenong West Primary School Government · Primary at peers

Amenities in the suburb

Keysborough Dandenong
Supermarkets 8 22
Cafes & restaurants 10 60
Parks & reserves 16 15
Childcare 19 27
GPs 6 22
Pharmacies 5 12
Hospitals 0 1
Police stations 0 1
Banks & Bank@Post 5 7
Fuel stations 5 8
EV chargers 2
same for both
Waterways 4 9

Mobility

Keysborough sits further from the CBD (38.1 km vs 34.2 km).

Keysborough Dandenong
Walkability score 66/100 95/100
Distance to Melbourne 38.1 km
+10% vs other
 34.2 km
Drive time (normal traffic) 38 min 35 min
Public transport score 79/100
Bus
 94/100
Rail · Bus
Peak arrivals per hour 312.8
7-9am + 5-7pm
 639.0
7-9am + 5-7pm
Median peak wait 0 min
scheduled, not actual
same for both
Electric vehicle share 1.8%
postcode 3173
 1.0%
postcode 3175
Rooftop solar per 100 dwellings 49
postcode 3173
 29
postcode 3175

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.

Keysborough Dandenong
Car (driver) 68.2% / 69.4%
Keysborough — Car (driver): 68.2% Dandenong — Car (driver): 69.4%
Worked from Home 21.6% / 12.2%
Keysborough — Worked from Home: 21.6% Dandenong — Worked from Home: 12.2%
Car (passenger) 6.2% / 7.2%
Keysborough — Car (passenger): 6.2% Dandenong — Car (passenger): 7.2%
Train 2.3% / 4.9%
Keysborough — Train: 2.3% Dandenong — Train: 4.9%
Bus 0.9% / 3.9%
Keysborough — Bus: 0.9% Dandenong — Bus: 3.9%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (69.4%).

Setting

Keysborough Dandenong
Elevation 11 m
above sea level, at the suburb centre
 40 m
above sea level, at the suburb centre
Distance to the ocean 6.4 km 10.9 km

NBN connectivity

Keysborough Dandenong
Connectivity score 96/100 77/100
Most common technology Fibre to the premises Hybrid fibre-coaxial
Full-fibre (FTTP) share 89%
10,097 premises
 10%
14,739 premises

Climate

Keysborough Dandenong
Annual rainfall 781 mm
same for both
Summer max (Jan) —
same for both
Winter min (Jul) —
same for both

Air quality (annual mean)

Keysborough Dandenong
PM2.5 6.3 µg/m³
same for both
PM10 20.8 µg/m³
same for both
NO₂ 0.98 pphm
same for both

Council rates

Keysborough Dandenong
Average residential rate $2,123/yr
same for both
Council Greater Dandenong
same for both

Federal electorate

Keysborough Dandenong
Division Isaacs
same for both
Member Mark Dreyfus
same for both
Party Australian Labor Party
same for both

First Home Owner Grant

Keysborough Dandenong
Grant amount $10,000
same for both
Property price cap $750,000
same for both
Eligibility New
same for both

Tags

Keysborough

Large Blocks Multicultural Outer River

Dandenong

Affordable Easy Commute Multicultural Outer Townhouses Transport Hub

More comparisons

Other comparisons with Keysborough

Keysborough vs Noble Park Keysborough vs Springvale South Keysborough vs Dingley Village Keysborough vs Aspendale Gardens Keysborough vs Waterways Keysborough vs Bangholme

Other comparisons with Dandenong

Dandenong vs Noble Park Dandenong vs Dandenong North Dandenong vs Doveton Dandenong vs Noble Park North Dandenong vs Dandenong South
Full data on Keysborough Full data on Dandenong
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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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