Malvern East vs Oakleigh

In both, most households own their home. In Malvern East, about half of households are couple families. In Oakleigh, most homes are detached houses. Houses cost more in Malvern East: a median of $1.95 million, against $1.38 million in Oakleigh. Malvern East is closer to the city centre: 14.4 km, against 18.8 km. On these figures, Oakleigh tends to suit 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

Malvern East

ahead on 3 of the 6 things we measure here

  • has more childcare (14 vs 5)
  • has more parks and reserves (17 vs 8)
  • has more schools inside the suburb (6 vs 3)
  • But Oakleigh has more schools rated above their peers (3 vs 2)

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

First-home buyers

Oakleigh

ahead on the one thing that separates them

  • has cheaper houses ($1,382,500 vs $1,947,500)

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

Malvern East

ahead on 2 of the 4 things we measure here

  • sits closer to the CBD (14.4 km vs 18.8 km)
  • has a shorter drive in (21 min vs 26 min)
  • But Oakleigh is more walkable (96/100 vs 88/100)

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

Downsizers and retirees

Oakleigh

ahead on the one thing that separates them

  • is more walkable (96/100 vs 88/100)

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

Investors

Oakleigh

ahead on the one thing that separates them

  • returns a higher gross yield on units (6.6% vs 4.2%)

Weighs house yield, unit yield, and population growth.

Where they sit

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

Malvern East Oakleigh
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.

Malvern East Oakleigh
Walkability 88 / 96
Malvern East — Walkability: 88/100 Oakleigh — Walkability: 96/100
Safety 13 / 5
Malvern East — Safety: 13/100 Oakleigh — Safety: 5/100
Low fire risk 100 / 100
Malvern East — Low fire risk: 100/100 Oakleigh — Low fire risk: 100/100
Low flood risk 46 / 62
Malvern East — Low flood risk: 46/100 Oakleigh — Low flood risk: 62/100

Demographics

Malvern East has more residents (22,296 vs 8,442); Malvern East has higher household incomes ($123,916 vs $100,152).

Malvern East Oakleigh
Population 22,296
+62% vs other
 8,442
Population trend (2016 → 2021) +2.7% +7.0%
Median age 38
same for both
Median household income $123,916/yr
+19% vs other
 $100,152/yr
Median weekly rent $421/wk
+3% vs other
 $410/wk

Age profile

Share of residents in each band, 2021 Census.

Malvern East Oakleigh
0-4 4.6% / 4.9%
Malvern East — 0-4: 4.6% Oakleigh — 0-4: 4.9%
5-14 11.3% / 9.6%
Malvern East — 5-14: 11.3% Oakleigh — 5-14: 9.6%
15-19 6.3% / 5.0%
Malvern East — 15-19: 6.3% Oakleigh — 15-19: 5.0%
20-24 8.2% / 8.4%
Malvern East — 20-24: 8.2% Oakleigh — 20-24: 8.4%
25-34 14.7% / 17.0%
Malvern East — 25-34: 14.7% Oakleigh — 25-34: 17.0%
35-44 12.6% / 13.7%
Malvern East — 35-44: 12.6% Oakleigh — 35-44: 13.7%
45-54 13.8% / 13.9%
Malvern East — 45-54: 13.8% Oakleigh — 45-54: 13.9%
55-64 11.4% / 11.6%
Malvern East — 55-64: 11.4% Oakleigh — 55-64: 11.6%
65-74 8.8% / 7.7%
Malvern East — 65-74: 8.8% Oakleigh — 65-74: 7.7%
75-84 5.3% / 4.9%
Malvern East — 75-84: 5.3% Oakleigh — 75-84: 4.9%
85+ 3.0% / 3.1%
Malvern East — 85+: 3.0% Oakleigh — 85+: 3.1%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (17.0%).

Who lives together

Household composition, 2021 Census.

Malvern East 45.2% couple families
Malvern East — Couple Families: 45.2% Malvern East — Lone Person: 34.8% Malvern East — One Parent Families: 10.5% Malvern East — Group Household: 7.8% Malvern East — Other Families: 1.8%
Oakleigh 41.9% couple families
Oakleigh — Couple Families: 41.9% Oakleigh — Lone Person: 35.7% Oakleigh — One Parent Families: 12.7% Oakleigh — Group Household: 7.2% Oakleigh — Other Families: 2.6%
Couple Families Lone Person One Parent Families Group Household Other Families

Who owns and who rents

Occupied private dwellings by tenure, 2021 Census.

Malvern East 31.6% renting
Malvern East — Owned Outright: 36.4% Malvern East — Mortgage: 32.0% Malvern East — Renting: 31.6%
Oakleigh 35.5% renting
Oakleigh — Owned Outright: 32.3% Oakleigh — Mortgage: 32.2% Oakleigh — Renting: 35.5%
Owned outright Mortgage Renting

Qualifications

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

Malvern East Oakleigh
Bachelor Degree 26.2% / 20.3%
Malvern East — Bachelor Degree: 26.2% Oakleigh — Bachelor Degree: 20.3%
Postgraduate Degree 11.5% / 9.9%
Malvern East — Postgraduate Degree: 11.5% Oakleigh — Postgraduate Degree: 9.9%
Advanced Diploma / Diploma 7.7% / 8.4%
Malvern East — Advanced Diploma / Diploma: 7.7% Oakleigh — Advanced Diploma / Diploma: 8.4%
Certificate III & IV 5.1% / 8.2%
Malvern East — Certificate III & IV: 5.1% Oakleigh — Certificate III & IV: 8.2%
Graduate Diploma / Certificate 3.7% / 2.6%
Malvern East — Graduate Diploma / Certificate: 3.7% Oakleigh — Graduate Diploma / Certificate: 2.6%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (26.2%).

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.

Malvern East Oakleigh
China 5.2% / 5.6%
Malvern East — China: 5.2% Oakleigh — China: 5.6%
Greece 1.8% / 6.0%
Malvern East — Greece: 1.8% Oakleigh — Greece: 6.0%
India 3.3% / 4.3%
Malvern East — India: 3.3% Oakleigh — India: 4.3%
England 2.5% / 2.2%
Malvern East — England: 2.5% Oakleigh — England: 2.2%
Italy — / 1.6%
Malvern East — Italy: not among its largest Oakleigh — Italy: 1.6%
Malaysia 1.3% / —
Malvern East — Malaysia: 1.3% Oakleigh — Malaysia: not among its largest

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (6.0%).

What people live in

Occupied private dwellings by structure, 2021 Census.

Malvern East 53.2% houses
Malvern East — Houses: 53.2% Malvern East — Flats / Apartments: 23.2% Malvern East — Townhouses: 23.5%
Oakleigh 61.9% houses
Oakleigh — Houses: 61.9% Oakleigh — Flats / Apartments: 25.9% Oakleigh — Townhouses: 12.3%
Houses Flats / Apartments Townhouses

Property market

Malvern East Oakleigh
Median house price $1,947,500 $1,382,500
Median unit price $479,000 $505,550
Median land price —
same for both
Typical days to sell (houses) 25 days
from 164 sales
 23 days
from 50 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.

Malvern East Oakleigh
1 bed $336K / $360K
Malvern East — 1 bed: $336K (68 sales) Oakleigh — 1 bed: $360K (23 sales)

68 vs 23 sales

2 bed $606K / $537K
Malvern East — 2 bed: $606K (110 sales) Oakleigh — 2 bed: $537K (56 sales)

110 vs 56 sales

3 bed $859K / $901K
Malvern East — 3 bed: $859K (11 sales) Oakleigh — 3 bed: $901K (8 sales)

11 vs 8 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.

Malvern East Oakleigh
2 bed $1.34M / $1.21M
Malvern East — 2 bed: $1.34M (21 sales) Oakleigh — 2 bed: $1.21M (8 sales)

21 vs 8 sales

3 bed $1.73M / $1.3M
Malvern East — 3 bed: $1.73M (91 sales) Oakleigh — 3 bed: $1.3M (31 sales)

91 vs 31 sales

4 bed $2.35M / $1.56M
Malvern East — 4 bed: $2.35M (78 sales) Oakleigh — 4 bed: $1.56M (23 sales)

78 vs 23 sales

5 bed $2.79M / $1.62M
Malvern East — 5 bed: $2.79M (26 sales) Oakleigh — 5 bed: $1.62M (9 sales)

26 vs 9 sales

Zoning mix

Oakleigh has more industrially zoned land (17% vs 0%).

Malvern East Oakleigh
Residential 70% 57%
Industrial 0% 17%
Parks and recreation 12% 7%
Infrastructure and transport 12% 10%
Commercial 6% 9%
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

Malvern East Oakleigh
New dwellings approved 818
across Stonnington
 1,233
across Monash
Approvals change year on year +67% -4%

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.

Malvern East Oakleigh
Houses 3.1%
$1,035/wk on $1.76M
 2.8%
$710/wk on $1.3M
Units 4.2%
$435/wk on $542K
 6.6%
$600/wk on $474K

Ranking within VIC

Malvern East Oakleigh
House price Higher than 95% of VIC Higher than 84% of VIC
Income Higher than 93% of VIC Higher than 73% of VIC
Schools Higher than 67% of VIC Higher than 99% of VIC
Walkability Higher than 96% of VIC Higher than 99% of VIC
Affordability Higher than 8% of VIC Higher than 17% of VIC
EV adoption Higher than 97% of VIC Higher than 91% of VIC
NBN connectivity Higher than 86% of VIC Higher than 81% of VIC
Rental yield (houses) Higher than 15% of VIC Higher than 8% of VIC
Rental yield (units) Higher than 15% of VIC Higher than 96% of VIC

Liveability

Oakleigh is more walkable (96 vs 88).

Malvern East Oakleigh
Grade A
same for both
Score 74/100 78/100
Socio-economic band very advantaged area
decile 10/10
 very advantaged area
decile 9/10

Risk profile

Malvern East carries more flood risk (54 vs 38).

Malvern East Oakleigh
Bushfire None
0/100
same for both
Crime High
87/100
 High
95/100
Flood Moderate
54/100
 Low
38/100
Coastal erosion None
0/100
same for both
Aircraft noise None
0/100
same for both
Industrial facilities nearby 8
within 5 km
 12
within 5 km

Schools

Malvern East Oakleigh
Inside the suburb 6 3
Rated above peers 2 3
Rated at peers 2 0
Rated below peers 0
same for both
Universities within 10 km 3
Monash Caulfield, 2.1 km
 3
Monash Clayton, 3.6 km
Full-time students aged 15–24 5.7% 4.6%

Schools in Malvern East

  • Malvern Valley Primary School Government · Primary above peers
  • St Mary's School Catholic · Primary above peers
  • Lloyd Street Primary School Government · Primary at peers
  • Malvern Primary School Government · Primary at peers
  • De La Salle College - Holy Eucharist Campus Catholic · Combined
  • The Currajong School Independent · Combined · Special school

Schools in Oakleigh

  • Christ Our Holy Redeemer School Catholic · Primary above peers
  • Oakleigh Primary School Government · Primary above peers
  • Sacred Heart School Catholic · Primary above peers

Amenities in the suburb

Malvern East Oakleigh
Supermarkets 4 6
Cafes & restaurants 61 54
Parks & reserves 17 8
Childcare 14 5
GPs 5 4
Pharmacies 4
same for both
Police stations 0 1
Banks & Bank@Post 10 6
Fuel stations 5 4
EV chargers 3 0
Waterways 1 3

Mobility

Oakleigh sits further from the CBD (18.8 km vs 14.4 km).

Malvern East Oakleigh
Walkability score 88/100 96/100
Distance to Melbourne 14.4 km 18.8 km
+31% vs other
Drive time (normal traffic) 21 min 26 min
Public transport score 95/100
Rail · Tram · Bus
 79/100
Rail · Bus
Peak arrivals per hour 410.0
7-9am + 5-7pm
 456.2
7-9am + 5-7pm
Median peak wait 0 min
scheduled, not actual
same for both
Electric vehicle share 2.6%
postcode 3145
 1.7%
postcode 3166
Rooftop solar per 100 dwellings 17
postcode 3145
 20
postcode 3166

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.

Malvern East Oakleigh
Worked from Home 47.0% / 39.8%
Malvern East — Worked from Home: 47.0% Oakleigh — Worked from Home: 39.8%
Car (driver) 40.3% / 46.5%
Malvern East — Car (driver): 40.3% Oakleigh — Car (driver): 46.5%
Train 5.6% / 5.4%
Malvern East — Train: 5.6% Oakleigh — Train: 5.4%
Car (passenger) 2.5% / 3.5%
Malvern East — Car (passenger): 2.5% Oakleigh — Car (passenger): 3.5%
Walked Only 2.4% / 2.3%
Malvern East — Walked Only: 2.4% Oakleigh — Walked Only: 2.3%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (47.0%).

Setting

Malvern East Oakleigh
Elevation 44 m
above sea level, at the suburb centre
 76 m
above sea level, at the suburb centre
Distance to the ocean 7.2 km 9.6 km

NBN connectivity

Malvern East Oakleigh
Connectivity score 77/100 72/100
Most common technology Hybrid fibre-coaxial
same for both
Full-fibre (FTTP) share 10%
11,575 premises
 13%
4,912 premises

Climate

Malvern East Oakleigh
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)

Malvern East Oakleigh
PM2.5 7.6 µg/m³ 4.3 µg/m³
PM10 —
same for both
NO₂ —
same for both

Council rates

Malvern East Oakleigh
Average residential rate $1,647/yr $1,697/yr
Council Stonnington Monash

Federal electorate

Malvern East Oakleigh
Division Chisholm Hotham
Member Carina Garland Clare O'Neil
Party Australian Labor Party
same for both

First Home Owner Grant

Malvern East Oakleigh
Grant amount $10,000
same for both
Property price cap $750,000
same for both
Eligibility New
same for both

Tags

Malvern East

Easy Commute Middle-Ring Parks Premium Professionals Townhouses Trams Transport Hub

Oakleigh

Cafe Culture Gentrifying Middle-Ring Multicultural Parks Professionals

More comparisons

Other comparisons with Malvern East

Malvern East vs Glen Iris Malvern East vs Carnegie Malvern East vs Caulfield North Malvern East vs Murrumbeena Malvern East vs Malvern Malvern East vs Chadstone

Other comparisons with Oakleigh

Oakleigh vs Mount Waverley Oakleigh vs Bentleigh East Oakleigh vs Oakleigh South Oakleigh vs Chadstone Oakleigh vs Hughesdale Oakleigh vs Oakleigh East
Full data on Malvern East Full data on Oakleigh
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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