Melbourne vs Richmond

Melbourne is the younger of the two, with a median age of 29 against 34 in Richmond. In both, most households rent. In Melbourne, the large majority of homes are flats or apartments and most households are people living alone. In Richmond, about half of homes are flats or apartments and about half of households are people living alone. Units cost more in Richmond: a median of $520,000, against $452,000 in Melbourne, and rent is higher there too. Melbourne is closer to the city centre: 3.4 km, against 4.4 km. On these figures, Melbourne tends to suit renters, young adults, and people living alone.

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

Richmond

ahead on 4 of the 6 things we measure here

  • has more separate houses rather than flats (16% vs 0%)
  • is already more of a family suburb (29% vs 12%)
  • has more schools rated above their peers (4 vs 2)
  • But Melbourne has more parks and reserves (40 vs 24)

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

First-home buyers

Melbourne

ahead on 2 of the 3 things we measure here

  • has cheaper houses ($516,000 vs $1,330,000)
  • has cheaper units ($452,000 vs $520,000)
  • But Richmond leaves households under less mortgage stress (24% vs 29%)

Weighs house prices, unit prices, and mortgage stress.

Renters

Melbourne

ahead on 2 of the 3 things we measure here

  • has a bigger rental market to choose from (73% vs 56%)
  • has cheaper rent ($381/wk vs $441/wk)
  • But Richmond leaves renters under less rental stress (20% vs 26%)

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

Commuting to the city

Melbourne

ahead on 2 of the 4 things we measure here

  • gets more of its commuters onto trains and trams (24% vs 9%)
  • has a shorter drive in (8 min vs 13 min)

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

Downsizers and retirees

Melbourne

ahead on 2 of the 5 things we measure here

  • has more GPs (30 vs 14)
  • has more units and townhouses to downsize into (100% vs 84%)
  • But Richmond has more residents already 65 and over (11% vs 6%)

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

Investors

Melbourne

ahead on the one thing that separates them

  • is growing faster (16.2% vs 3.2%)

Weighs population growth.

Where they sit

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

Melbourne Richmond
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.

Melbourne Richmond
Walkability 100 / 100
Melbourne — Walkability: 100/100 Richmond — Walkability: 100/100
Safety 3 / 9
Melbourne — Safety: 3/100 Richmond — Safety: 9/100
Low fire risk 100 / 100
Melbourne — Low fire risk: 100/100 Richmond — Low fire risk: 100/100
Low flood risk 36 / 56
Melbourne — Low flood risk: 36/100 Richmond — Low flood risk: 56/100

Demographics

Melbourne has more residents (54,941 vs 28,587); Richmond has higher household incomes ($116,740 vs $75,296).

Melbourne Richmond
Population 54,941
+48% vs other
 28,587
Population trend (2016 → 2021) +16.2% +3.2%
Median age 29 34
Median household income $75,296/yr $116,740/yr
+55% vs other
Median weekly rent $381/wk $441/wk
+16% vs other

Age profile

Share of residents in each band, 2021 Census.

Melbourne Richmond
0-4 2.0% / 3.7%
Melbourne — 0-4: 2.0% Richmond — 0-4: 3.7%
5-14 2.2% / 6.0%
Melbourne — 5-14: 2.2% Richmond — 5-14: 6.0%
15-19 3.5% / 2.8%
Melbourne — 15-19: 3.5% Richmond — 15-19: 2.8%
20-24 21.0% / 7.7%
Melbourne — 20-24: 21.0% Richmond — 20-24: 7.7%
25-34 38.3% / 31.5%
Melbourne — 25-34: 38.3% Richmond — 25-34: 31.5%
35-44 14.8% / 16.4%
Melbourne — 35-44: 14.8% Richmond — 35-44: 16.4%
45-54 6.8% / 11.4%
Melbourne — 45-54: 6.8% Richmond — 45-54: 11.4%
55-64 5.1% / 9.3%
Melbourne — 55-64: 5.1% Richmond — 55-64: 9.3%
65-74 3.7% / 6.5%
Melbourne — 65-74: 3.7% Richmond — 65-74: 6.5%
75-84 1.9% / 3.4%
Melbourne — 75-84: 1.9% Richmond — 75-84: 3.4%
85+ 0.7% / 1.4%
Melbourne — 85+: 0.7% Richmond — 85+: 1.4%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (38.3%).

Who lives together

Household composition, 2021 Census.

Melbourne 63.4% lone person
Melbourne — Lone Person: 63.4% Melbourne — Group Household: 20.6% Melbourne — Couple Families: 7.7% Melbourne — One Parent Families: 4.2% Melbourne — Other Families: 4.2%
Richmond 52.9% lone person
Richmond — Lone Person: 52.9% Richmond — Group Household: 15.9% Richmond — Couple Families: 19.7% Richmond — One Parent Families: 8.9% Richmond — Other Families: 2.5%
Lone Person Group Household Couple Families One Parent Families Other Families

Who owns and who rents

Occupied private dwellings by tenure, 2021 Census.

Melbourne 73.3% renting
Melbourne — Owned Outright: 13.1% Melbourne — Mortgage: 13.6% Melbourne — Renting: 73.3%
Richmond 56.0% renting
Richmond — Owned Outright: 19.2% Richmond — Mortgage: 24.8% Richmond — Renting: 56.0%
Owned outright Mortgage Renting

Qualifications

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

Melbourne Richmond
Bachelor Degree 30.6% / 31.8%
Melbourne — Bachelor Degree: 30.6% Richmond — Bachelor Degree: 31.8%
Postgraduate Degree 16.7% / 11.8%
Melbourne — Postgraduate Degree: 16.7% Richmond — Postgraduate Degree: 11.8%
Advanced Diploma / Diploma 8.9% / 7.4%
Melbourne — Advanced Diploma / Diploma: 8.9% Richmond — Advanced Diploma / Diploma: 7.4%
Certificate III & IV 4.6% / 6.4%
Melbourne — Certificate III & IV: 4.6% Richmond — Certificate III & IV: 6.4%
Graduate Diploma / Certificate 2.3% / 4.0%
Melbourne — Graduate Diploma / Certificate: 2.3% Richmond — Graduate Diploma / Certificate: 4.0%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (31.8%).

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.

Melbourne Richmond
China 15.1% / 1.7%
Melbourne — China: 15.1% Richmond — China: 1.7%
India 7.0% / 1.1%
Melbourne — India: 7.0% Richmond — India: 1.1%
Malaysia 6.2% / 0.9%
Melbourne — Malaysia: 6.2% Richmond — Malaysia: 0.9%
Vietnam 2.1% / 4.3%
Melbourne — Vietnam: 2.1% Richmond — Vietnam: 4.3%
New Zealand 1.9% / 2.9%
Melbourne — New Zealand: 1.9% Richmond — New Zealand: 2.9%
Indonesia 3.7% / —
Melbourne — Indonesia: 3.7% Richmond — Indonesia: not among its largest
England — / 3.7%
Melbourne — England: not among its largest Richmond — England: 3.7%
Thailand 2.6% / —
Melbourne — Thailand: 2.6% Richmond — Thailand: not among its largest
Greece — / 1.7%
Melbourne — Greece: not among its largest Richmond — Greece: 1.7%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (15.1%).

What people live in

Occupied private dwellings by structure, 2021 Census.

Melbourne 99.7% flats / apartments
Melbourne — Flats / Apartments: 99.7% Melbourne — Townhouses: 0.2% Melbourne — Houses: 0.1%
Richmond 53.7% flats / apartments
Richmond — Flats / Apartments: 53.7% Richmond — Townhouses: 30.7% Richmond — Houses: 15.6%
Flats / Apartments Townhouses Houses

Property market

Melbourne Richmond
Median house price $516,000 $1,330,000
Median unit price $452,000 $520,000
Median land price —
same for both
Typical days to sell (houses) 39 days
from 10 sales
 23 days
from 181 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.

Melbourne Richmond
1 bed $363K / $920K
Melbourne — 1 bed: $363K (6 sales) Richmond — 1 bed: $920K (5 sales)

6 vs 5 sales

2 bed $562K / $1.2M
Melbourne — 2 bed: $562K (8 sales) Richmond — 2 bed: $1.2M (120 sales)

8 vs 120 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.

Melbourne Richmond
1 bed $349K / $410K
Melbourne — 1 bed: $349K (787 sales) Richmond — 1 bed: $410K (251 sales)

787 vs 251 sales

2 bed $540K / $640K
Melbourne — 2 bed: $540K (999 sales) Richmond — 2 bed: $640K (266 sales)

999 vs 266 sales

3 bed $890K / $1.13M
Melbourne — 3 bed: $890K (131 sales) Richmond — 3 bed: $1.13M (27 sales)

131 vs 27 sales

Zoning mix

Melbourne has more commercially zoned land (41% vs 13%).

Melbourne Richmond
Residential 3% 62%
Commercial 41% 13%
Parks and recreation 37% 6%
Infrastructure and transport 16% 10%
Industrial 0% 5%
Other and special use 3%
same for both
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

Melbourne Richmond
New dwellings approved 4,715
across Melbourne
 1,675
across Yarra
Approvals change year on year +195% +646%

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.

Melbourne Richmond
Houses — 3.9%
$980/wk on $1.31M
Units — 6.2%
$672/wk on $560K

Ranking within VIC

Melbourne Richmond
House price — Higher than 84% of VIC
Income Higher than 42% of VIC Higher than 87% of VIC
Schools Higher than 46% of VIC Higher than 64% of VIC
Walkability Higher than 100% of VIC
same for both
Affordability — Higher than 27% of VIC
EV adoption Higher than 100% of VIC Higher than 98% of VIC
NBN connectivity Higher than 86% of VIC Higher than 92% of VIC
Rental yield (houses) — Higher than 61% of VIC
Rental yield (units) — Higher than 94% of VIC

Liveability

Richmond scores higher overall (75 vs 64).

Melbourne Richmond
Grade B A
Score 64/100 75/100
Socio-economic band very advantaged area
decile 10/10
same for both

Risk profile

Melbourne carries more flood risk (64 vs 44).

Melbourne Richmond
Bushfire None
0/100
same for both
Crime High
97/100
 High
91/100
Flood Moderate
64/100
 Moderate
44/100
Coastal erosion None
0/100
same for both
Aircraft noise None
0/100
same for both
Industrial facilities nearby 24
within 5 km
 17
within 5 km

Schools

Melbourne Richmond
Inside the suburb 12 13
Rated above peers 2 4
Rated at peers 0 2
Rated below peers 1
same for both
Universities within 10 km 3
Melbourne C.Q.U Campus, 0.0 km
 3
Hawthorn Campus John Street Hawthorn Swinburne University, 2.6 km
Full-time students aged 15–24 12.2% 3.0%

Schools in Melbourne

  • MacRobertson Girls High School Government · Secondary above peers
  • Melbourne Grammar School Independent · Combined above peers
  • Wesley College Independent · Combined below peers
  • Eltham College - Lonsdale Street Campus Independent · Combined
  • Holmes Grammar School Independent · Secondary
  • Melbourne Grammar School - Wadhurst Campus Independent · Combined

Schools in Richmond

  • Bindjiroo Yaluk Community School Government · Secondary above peers
  • Melbourne Girls College Government · Secondary above peers
  • Richmond West Primary School Government · Primary above peers
  • Yarra Primary School Government · Primary above peers
  • Richmond High School Government · Secondary at peers
  • Trinity Catholic School Catholic · Primary at peers

Amenities in the suburb

Melbourne Richmond
Supermarkets 25 6
Cafes & restaurants 944 104
Parks & reserves 40 24
Childcare 11 19
GPs 30 14
Pharmacies 28 8
Hospitals 3
same for both
Police stations 2 1
Banks & Bank@Post 43 6
Fuel stations 1 4
EV chargers 1 2
Waterways 5 2

Mobility

Melbourne Richmond
Walkability score 100/100
same for both
Distance to Melbourne 3.4 km 4.4 km
+29% vs other
Drive time (normal traffic) 8 min 13 min
Public transport score 97/100
Rail · Tram · Bus
same for both
Peak arrivals per hour 3733.8
7-9am + 5-7pm
 678.2
7-9am + 5-7pm
Median peak wait 0 min
scheduled, not actual
same for both
Electric vehicle share 5.3%
postcode 3000
 3.0%
postcode 3121
Rooftop solar per 100 dwellings 0
postcode 3000
 7
postcode 3121

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.

Melbourne Richmond
Worked from Home 41.2% / 51.8%
Melbourne — Worked from Home: 41.2% Richmond — Worked from Home: 51.8%
Car (driver) 12.4% / 27.4%
Melbourne — Car (driver): 12.4% Richmond — Car (driver): 27.4%
Walked Only 17.3% / 7.4%
Melbourne — Walked Only: 17.3% Richmond — Walked Only: 7.4%
Tram / Light Rail 14.0% / 4.6%
Melbourne — Tram / Light Rail: 14.0% Richmond — Tram / Light Rail: 4.6%
Train 10.2% / 4.2%
Melbourne — Train: 10.2% Richmond — Train: 4.2%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (51.8%).

Setting

Melbourne Richmond
Elevation 18 m
above sea level, at the suburb centre
 17 m
above sea level, at the suburb centre
Distance to the ocean 3.3 km
3.3 km to a named beach
 5.2 km

NBN connectivity

Melbourne Richmond
Connectivity score 76/100 83/100
Most common technology Fibre to the building Fibre to the curb
Full-fibre (FTTP) share 31%
68,501 premises
 36%
20,694 premises

Climate

Melbourne Richmond
Annual rainfall 534 mm
same for both
Summer max (Jan) 26.7°C
same for both
Winter min (Jul) 6.5°C
same for both

Air quality (annual mean)

Melbourne Richmond
PM2.5 7.9 µg/m³
same for both
PM10 —
same for both
NO₂ —
same for both

Council rates

Melbourne Richmond
Average residential rate $2,345/yr $1,937/yr
Council Melbourne Yarra

Federal electorate

Melbourne Richmond
Division Melbourne
same for both
Member Sarah Witty
same for both
Party Australian Labor Party
same for both

First Home Owner Grant

Melbourne Richmond
Grant amount $10,000
same for both
Property price cap $750,000
same for both
Eligibility New
same for both

Tags

Melbourne

Affordable Apartments Easy Commute Inner Multicultural Parks Professionals River Students Trams Transport Hub Urban

Richmond

Apartments Cafe Culture Easy Commute Inner Nightlife Parks Professionals Townhouses Trains Trams Transport Hub Urban

More comparisons

Other comparisons with Melbourne

Melbourne vs South Yarra Melbourne vs Southbank Melbourne vs St Kilda Melbourne vs Carlton Melbourne vs Docklands Melbourne vs North Melbourne

Other comparisons with Richmond

Richmond vs South Yarra Richmond vs Kew Richmond vs Hawthorn Richmond vs Collingwood Richmond vs Abbotsford Richmond vs East Melbourne
Full data on Melbourne Full data on Richmond
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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