Malvern vs Caulfield North

Caulfield North is the younger of the two, with a median age of 37 against 44 in Malvern. In both, most households own their home. Houses cost more in Malvern: a median of $2.8 million, against $1.92 million in Caulfield North, and rent is higher there too. On these figures, Caulfield North 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

ahead on 3 of the 6 things we measure here

  • has more childcare (8 vs 3)
  • has more schools rated above their peers (2 vs 1)
  • has more parks and reserves (7 vs 4)
  • But Caulfield North has more schools inside the suburb (6 vs 4)

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

First-home buyers

Caulfield North

ahead on the one thing that separates them

  • has cheaper houses ($1,921,500 vs $2,800,000)

Weighs house prices, unit prices, and mortgage stress.

Renters

Caulfield North

ahead on the one thing that separates them

  • has a bigger rental market to choose from (41% vs 28%)

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

Commuting to the city

Malvern

ahead on the one thing that separates them

  • is more walkable (99/100 vs 86/100)

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

Downsizers and retirees

Malvern

ahead on 2 of the 5 things we measure here

  • has more GPs (7 vs 5)
  • is more walkable (99/100 vs 86/100)
  • But Caulfield North carries lower crime risk (62/100 vs 74/100)

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

Investors

Caulfield North

ahead on 2 of the 3 things we measure here

  • is growing faster (10.7% vs -1.4%)
  • returns a higher gross yield on units (5.9% vs 4.4%)

Weighs house yield, unit yield, and population growth.

Where they sit

Malvern and Caulfield North 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 Caulfield North
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 Caulfield North
Walkability 99 / 86
Malvern — Walkability: 99/100 Caulfield North — Walkability: 86/100
Safety 26 / 38
Malvern — Safety: 26/100 Caulfield North — Safety: 38/100
Low fire risk 100 / 100
Malvern — Low fire risk: 100/100 Caulfield North — Low fire risk: 100/100
Low flood risk 69 / 66
Malvern — Low flood risk: 69/100 Caulfield North — Low flood risk: 66/100

Demographics

Caulfield North has more residents (16,903 vs 9,929); Malvern skews older (44 vs 37).

Malvern Caulfield North
Population 9,929 16,903
+70% vs other
Population trend (2016 → 2021) -1.4% +10.7%
Median age 44 37
Median household income $135,512/yr
+15% vs other
 $114,660/yr
Median weekly rent $450/wk
+6% vs other
 $422/wk

Age profile

Share of residents in each band, 2021 Census.

Malvern Caulfield North
0-4 4.0% / 5.2%
Malvern — 0-4: 4.0% Caulfield North — 0-4: 5.2%
5-14 11.0% / 10.6%
Malvern — 5-14: 11.0% Caulfield North — 5-14: 10.6%
15-19 6.3% / 4.9%
Malvern — 15-19: 6.3% Caulfield North — 15-19: 4.9%
20-24 6.0% / 7.9%
Malvern — 20-24: 6.0% Caulfield North — 20-24: 7.9%
25-34 12.1% / 18.1%
Malvern — 25-34: 12.1% Caulfield North — 25-34: 18.1%
35-44 11.6% / 13.2%
Malvern — 35-44: 11.6% Caulfield North — 35-44: 13.2%
45-54 13.9% / 11.1%
Malvern — 45-54: 13.9% Caulfield North — 45-54: 11.1%
55-64 12.1% / 9.8%
Malvern — 55-64: 12.1% Caulfield North — 55-64: 9.8%
65-74 10.6% / 10.6%
Malvern — 65-74: 10.6% Caulfield North — 65-74: 10.6%
75-84 8.6% / 5.2%
Malvern — 75-84: 8.6% Caulfield North — 75-84: 5.2%
85+ 3.9% / 3.4%
Malvern — 85+: 3.9% Caulfield North — 85+: 3.4%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (18.1%).

Who lives together

Household composition, 2021 Census.

Malvern 43.4% lone person
Malvern — Lone Person: 43.4% Malvern — Couple Families: 39.7% Malvern — One Parent Families: 10.5% Malvern — Group Household: 4.9% Malvern — Other Families: 1.5%
Caulfield North 43.5% lone person
Caulfield North — Lone Person: 43.5% Caulfield North — Couple Families: 37.0% Caulfield North — One Parent Families: 9.2% Caulfield North — Group Household: 8.8% Caulfield North — Other Families: 1.5%
Lone Person Couple Families One Parent Families Group Household Other Families

Who owns and who rents

Occupied private dwellings by tenure, 2021 Census.

Malvern 27.6% renting
Malvern — Owned Outright: 43.2% Malvern — Mortgage: 29.2% Malvern — Renting: 27.6%
Caulfield North 41.1% renting
Caulfield North — Owned Outright: 32.3% Caulfield North — Mortgage: 26.7% Caulfield North — Renting: 41.1%
Owned outright Mortgage Renting

Qualifications

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

Malvern Caulfield North
Bachelor Degree 29.4% / 28.2%
Malvern — Bachelor Degree: 29.4% Caulfield North — Bachelor Degree: 28.2%
Postgraduate Degree 11.8% / 12.4%
Malvern — Postgraduate Degree: 11.8% Caulfield North — Postgraduate Degree: 12.4%
Advanced Diploma / Diploma 7.8% / 7.4%
Malvern — Advanced Diploma / Diploma: 7.8% Caulfield North — Advanced Diploma / Diploma: 7.4%
Certificate III & IV 3.4% / 4.6%
Malvern — Certificate III & IV: 3.4% Caulfield North — Certificate III & IV: 4.6%
Graduate Diploma / Certificate 4.0% / 3.4%
Malvern — Graduate Diploma / Certificate: 4.0% Caulfield North — Graduate Diploma / Certificate: 3.4%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (29.4%).

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.

Malvern Caulfield North
China 2.2% / 4.8%
Malvern — China: 2.2% Caulfield North — China: 4.8%
England 3.5% / 2.7%
Malvern — England: 3.5% Caulfield North — England: 2.7%
India 2.0% / 2.8%
Malvern — India: 2.0% Caulfield North — India: 2.8%
South Africa 0.9% / 3.8%
Malvern — South Africa: 0.9% Caulfield North — South Africa: 3.8%
New Zealand 1.6% / 1.4%
Malvern — New Zealand: 1.6% Caulfield North — New Zealand: 1.4%
Greece 1.3% / —
Malvern — Greece: 1.3% Caulfield North — Greece: not among its largest

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (4.8%).

What people live in

Occupied private dwellings by structure, 2021 Census.

Malvern 45.8% houses
Malvern — Houses: 45.8% Malvern — Flats / Apartments: 34.8% Malvern — Townhouses: 19.4%
Caulfield North 36.2% houses
Caulfield North — Houses: 36.2% Caulfield North — Flats / Apartments: 39.6% Caulfield North — Townhouses: 24.2%
Houses Flats / Apartments Townhouses

Property market

Malvern Caulfield North
Median house price $2,800,000 $1,921,500
Median unit price $582,500 $571,250
Median land price —
same for both
Typical days to sell (houses) 23 days
from 69 sales
 25 days
from 57 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 Caulfield North
1 bed $421K / $392K
Malvern — 1 bed: $421K (54 sales) Caulfield North — 1 bed: $392K (56 sales)

54 vs 56 sales

2 bed $670K / $595K
Malvern — 2 bed: $670K (67 sales) Caulfield North — 2 bed: $595K (135 sales)

67 vs 135 sales

3 bed $1.33M / $950K
Malvern — 3 bed: $1.33M (12 sales) Caulfield North — 3 bed: $950K (26 sales)

12 vs 26 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 Caulfield North
2 bed $2.17M / $1.28M
Malvern — 2 bed: $2.17M (11 sales) Caulfield North — 2 bed: $1.28M (12 sales)

11 vs 12 sales

3 bed $2.25M / $1.64M
Malvern — 3 bed: $2.25M (49 sales) Caulfield North — 3 bed: $1.64M (50 sales)

49 vs 50 sales

4 bed $3.52M / $2.15M
Malvern — 4 bed: $3.52M (40 sales) Caulfield North — 4 bed: $2.15M (28 sales)

40 vs 28 sales

5 bed $4.77M / $3.34M
Malvern — 5 bed: $4.77M (11 sales) Caulfield North — 5 bed: $3.34M (10 sales)

11 vs 10 sales

Zoning mix

Malvern Caulfield North
Residential 79% 85%
Infrastructure and transport 11% 6%
Parks and recreation 4% 6%
Commercial 6% 3%
Other and special use 1% 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

Malvern Caulfield North
New dwellings approved 818
across Stonnington
 617
across Glen Eira
Approvals change year on year +67% -69%

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 Caulfield North
Houses 3.4%
$1,700/wk on $2.6M
 3.3%
$1,200/wk on $1.91M
Units 4.4%
$645/wk on $760K
 5.9%
$650/wk on $575K

Ranking within VIC

Malvern Caulfield North
House price Higher than 99% of VIC Higher than 97% of VIC
Income Higher than 95% of VIC Higher than 86% of VIC
Schools Higher than 85% of VIC Higher than 45% of VIC
Walkability Higher than 99% of VIC Higher than 95% of VIC
Affordability Higher than 3% of VIC Higher than 2% of VIC
EV adoption Higher than 99% of VIC Higher than 98% of VIC
NBN connectivity Higher than 88% of VIC Higher than 85% of VIC
Rental yield (houses) Higher than 32% of VIC Higher than 26% of VIC
Rental yield (units) Higher than 27% of VIC Higher than 90% of VIC

Liveability

Malvern is more walkable (99 vs 86); Malvern scores higher overall (88 vs 77).

Malvern Caulfield North
Grade A+ A
Score 88/100 77/100
Socio-economic band very advantaged area
decile 10/10
same for both

Risk profile

Malvern carries more crime risk (74 vs 62).

Malvern Caulfield North
Bushfire None
0/100
same for both
Crime High
74/100
 Moderate
62/100
Flood Low
31/100
 Low
34/100
Coastal erosion None
0/100
same for both
Aircraft noise None
0/100
same for both
Industrial facilities nearby 9
within 5 km
same for both

Schools

Malvern Caulfield North
Inside the suburb 4 6
Rated above peers 2 1
Rated at peers 1
same for both
Rated below peers 0
same for both
Universities within 10 km 3
Monash Caulfield, 2.8 km
 3
Monash Caulfield, 2.1 km
Full-time students aged 15–24 4.5% 5.1%

Schools in Malvern

  • De La Salle College Catholic · Combined above peers
  • St Joseph's School Catholic · Primary above peers
  • Malvern Central School Government · Primary at peers
  • De La Salle College - Kinnoull Campus Catholic · Combined

Schools in Caulfield North

  • Oakwood School Government · Secondary above peers
  • Caulfield Junior College Government · Primary at peers
  • Caulfield Grammar School - Shelford Campus Independent · Combined
  • Melbourne Grammar School - Grimwade Campus Independent · Combined
  • Shelford Girls' Grammar Independent · Combined
  • MacKillop Specialist School - MacKillop Education Caulfield Catholic · Combined · Special school

Amenities in the suburb

Malvern Caulfield North
Supermarkets 3
same for both
Cafes & restaurants 19
same for both
Parks & reserves 7 4
Childcare 8 3
GPs 7 5
Pharmacies 6 1
Hospitals 1 0
Police stations 1 0
Banks & Bank@Post 6 3
Fuel stations 1 0
EV chargers 1 0

Mobility

Malvern Caulfield North
Walkability score 99/100 86/100
Distance to Melbourne 12 km
+8% vs other
 11 km
Drive time (normal traffic) 21 min 20 min
Public transport score 98/100
Rail · Tram · Bus
 82/100
Tram · Bus
Peak arrivals per hour 303.0
7-9am + 5-7pm
 395.5
7-9am + 5-7pm
Median peak wait 0 min
scheduled, not actual
same for both
Electric vehicle share 3.2%
postcode 3144
 2.9%
postcode 3161
Rooftop solar per 100 dwellings 13
postcode 3144
 10
postcode 3161

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 Caulfield North
Worked from Home 49.6% / 47.0%
Malvern — Worked from Home: 49.6% Caulfield North — Worked from Home: 47.0%
Car (driver) 36.7% / 41.0%
Malvern — Car (driver): 36.7% Caulfield North — Car (driver): 41.0%
Train 4.6% / 4.2%
Malvern — Train: 4.6% Caulfield North — Train: 4.2%
Walked Only 4.6% / 2.4%
Malvern — Walked Only: 4.6% Caulfield North — Walked Only: 2.4%
Car (passenger) 1.9% / 2.2%
Malvern — Car (passenger): 1.9% Caulfield North — Car (passenger): 2.2%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (49.6%).

Setting

Malvern Caulfield North
Elevation 55 m
above sea level, at the suburb centre
 44 m
above sea level, at the suburb centre
Distance to the ocean 5.4 km 3.9 km
4.2 km to a named beach

NBN connectivity

Malvern Caulfield North
Connectivity score 78/100 76/100
Most common technology Hybrid fibre-coaxial
same for both
Full-fibre (FTTP) share 12%
6,062 premises
 4%
7,741 premises

Climate

Malvern Caulfield North
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 Caulfield North
PM2.5 7.6 µg/m³
same for both
PM10 —
same for both
NO₂ —
same for both

Council rates

Malvern Caulfield North
Average residential rate $1,647/yr $1,577/yr
Council Stonnington Glen Eira

Federal electorate

Malvern Caulfield North
Division Kooyong Macnamara
Member Monique Ryan Josh Burns
Party Independent Australian Labor Party

First Home Owner Grant

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

Tags

Malvern

Apartments Easy Commute Inner Parks Professionals Trams Transport Hub Urban

Caulfield North

Apartments Middle-Ring Parks Professionals Townhouses Trams Transport Hub Urban

More comparisons

Other comparisons with Malvern

Malvern vs Glen Iris Malvern vs Hawthorn Malvern vs Malvern East Malvern vs Hawthorn East Malvern vs Toorak Malvern vs Armadale

Other comparisons with Caulfield North

Caulfield North vs Malvern East Caulfield North vs St Kilda East Caulfield North vs Elsternwick Caulfield North vs Armadale Caulfield North vs Caulfield Caulfield North vs Caulfield East
Full data on Malvern Full data on Caulfield North
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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