Oakleigh South vs Clayton

Clayton is the younger of the two, with a median age of 28 against 40 in Oakleigh South. In Oakleigh South, the large majority of households own their home, the large majority of homes are detached houses, and about half of households are couple families. In Clayton, most households rent. Houses cost more in Clayton: a median of $1.36 million, against $1.22 million in Oakleigh South. On these figures, Oakleigh South tends to suit couples, while Clayton suits renters, young adults, and share households.

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

Oakleigh South

ahead on 4 of the 6 things we measure here

  • has more schools rated above their peers (3 vs 0)
  • has more separate houses rather than flats (84% vs 35%)
  • is already more of a family suburb (66% vs 36%)
  • But Clayton has more parks and reserves (21 vs 12)

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

First-home buyers

They split

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

  • Oakleigh South has cheaper houses ($1,220,000 vs $1,365,000)
  • Clayton has cheaper units ($550,000 vs $720,000)

Weighs house prices, unit prices, and mortgage stress.

Renters

They split

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

  • Oakleigh South leaves renters under less rental stress (22% vs 27%)
  • Clayton has a bigger rental market to choose from (63% vs 24%)

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

Commuting to the city

Clayton

ahead on the one thing that separates them

  • is more walkable (97/100 vs 80/100)

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

Downsizers and retirees

Clayton

ahead on 3 of the 5 things we measure here

  • has more GPs (10 vs 0)
  • has more units and townhouses to downsize into (64% vs 16%)
  • is more walkable (97/100 vs 80/100)
  • But Oakleigh South has more residents already 65 and over (19% vs 10%)

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

Investors

Clayton

ahead on 2 of the 3 things we measure here

  • returns a higher gross yield on houses (3.9% vs 3.2%)
  • returns a higher gross yield on units (5.3% vs 4.7%)
  • But Oakleigh South is growing faster (6.4% vs -1.9%)

Weighs house yield, unit yield, and population growth.

Where they sit

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

Oakleigh South Clayton
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.

Oakleigh South Clayton
Walkability 80 / 97
Oakleigh South — Walkability: 80/100 Clayton — Walkability: 97/100
Safety 34 / 15
Oakleigh South — Safety: 34/100 Clayton — Safety: 15/100
Low fire risk 100 / 100
Oakleigh South — Low fire risk: 100/100 Clayton — Low fire risk: 100/100
Low flood risk 76 / 66
Oakleigh South — Low flood risk: 76/100 Clayton — Low flood risk: 66/100

Demographics

Clayton has more residents (18,988 vs 9,851); Oakleigh South skews older (40 vs 28).

Oakleigh South Clayton
Population 9,851 18,988
+93% vs other
Population trend (2016 → 2021) +6.4% -1.9%
Median age 40 28
Median household income $99,580/yr
+22% vs other
 $77,688/yr
Median weekly rent $418/wk
+4% vs other
 $400/wk

Age profile

Share of residents in each band, 2021 Census.

Oakleigh South Clayton
0-4 5.6% / 3.7%
Oakleigh South — 0-4: 5.6% Clayton — 0-4: 3.7%
5-14 11.0% / 4.6%
Oakleigh South — 5-14: 11.0% Clayton — 5-14: 4.6%
15-19 4.5% / 6.3%
Oakleigh South — 15-19: 4.5% Clayton — 15-19: 6.3%
20-24 5.7% / 22.0%
Oakleigh South — 20-24: 5.7% Clayton — 20-24: 22.0%
25-34 14.9% / 30.6%
Oakleigh South — 25-34: 14.9% Clayton — 25-34: 30.6%
35-44 14.6% / 11.0%
Oakleigh South — 35-44: 14.6% Clayton — 35-44: 11.0%
45-54 12.5% / 6.3%
Oakleigh South — 45-54: 12.5% Clayton — 45-54: 6.3%
55-64 12.2% / 5.4%
Oakleigh South — 55-64: 12.2% Clayton — 55-64: 5.4%
65-74 10.0% / 4.1%
Oakleigh South — 65-74: 10.0% Clayton — 65-74: 4.1%
75-84 6.3% / 3.5%
Oakleigh South — 75-84: 6.3% Clayton — 75-84: 3.5%
85+ 2.8% / 2.5%
Oakleigh South — 85+: 2.8% Clayton — 85+: 2.5%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (30.6%).

Who lives together

Household composition, 2021 Census.

Oakleigh South 51.5% couple families
Oakleigh South — Couple Families: 51.5% Oakleigh South — Lone Person: 27.3% Oakleigh South — Group Household: 4.9% Oakleigh South — One Parent Families: 14.3% Oakleigh South — Other Families: 2.0%
Clayton 25.3% couple families
Clayton — Couple Families: 25.3% Clayton — Lone Person: 33.5% Clayton — Group Household: 26.5% Clayton — One Parent Families: 10.2% Clayton — Other Families: 4.6%
Couple Families Lone Person Group Household One Parent Families Other Families

Who owns and who rents

Occupied private dwellings by tenure, 2021 Census.

Oakleigh South 23.8% renting
Oakleigh South — Owned Outright: 39.3% Oakleigh South — Mortgage: 36.8% Oakleigh South — Renting: 23.8%
Clayton 63.0% renting
Clayton — Owned Outright: 19.4% Clayton — Mortgage: 17.6% Clayton — Renting: 63.0%
Owned outright Mortgage Renting

Qualifications

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

Oakleigh South Clayton
Bachelor Degree 18.1% / 21.6%
Oakleigh South — Bachelor Degree: 18.1% Clayton — Bachelor Degree: 21.6%
Postgraduate Degree 8.5% / 15.8%
Oakleigh South — Postgraduate Degree: 8.5% Clayton — Postgraduate Degree: 15.8%
Advanced Diploma / Diploma 7.8% / 7.1%
Oakleigh South — Advanced Diploma / Diploma: 7.8% Clayton — Advanced Diploma / Diploma: 7.1%
Certificate III & IV 8.9% / 5.4%
Oakleigh South — Certificate III & IV: 8.9% Clayton — Certificate III & IV: 5.4%
Graduate Diploma / Certificate 2.3% / 1.4%
Oakleigh South — Graduate Diploma / Certificate: 2.3% Clayton — Graduate Diploma / Certificate: 1.4%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (21.6%).

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.

Oakleigh South Clayton
India 8.1% / 16.4%
Oakleigh South — India: 8.1% Clayton — India: 16.4%
China 6.4% / 14.7%
Oakleigh South — China: 6.4% Clayton — China: 14.7%
Greece 5.0% / 2.7%
Oakleigh South — Greece: 5.0% Clayton — Greece: 2.7%
Sri Lanka 1.9% / 3.6%
Oakleigh South — Sri Lanka: 1.9% Clayton — Sri Lanka: 3.6%
Vietnam 2.0% / 2.2%
Oakleigh South — Vietnam: 2.0% Clayton — Vietnam: 2.2%
Malaysia — / 3.4%
Oakleigh South — Malaysia: not among its largest Clayton — Malaysia: 3.4%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (16.4%).

What people live in

Occupied private dwellings by structure, 2021 Census.

Oakleigh South 83.7% houses
Oakleigh South — Houses: 83.7% Oakleigh South — Townhouses: 10.1% Oakleigh South — Flats / Apartments: 6.2%
Clayton 35.4% houses
Clayton — Houses: 35.4% Clayton — Townhouses: 42.5% Clayton — Flats / Apartments: 22.0%
Houses Townhouses Flats / Apartments

Property market

Oakleigh South Clayton
Median house price $1,220,000 $1,365,000
Median unit price $720,000 $550,000
Median land price — $1,541,000
Typical days to sell (houses) 22 days
from 69 sales
 25 days
from 56 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.

Oakleigh South Clayton
2 bed $648K / $532K
Oakleigh South — 2 bed: $648K (27 sales) Clayton — 2 bed: $532K (126 sales)

27 vs 126 sales

3 bed $901K / $820K
Oakleigh South — 3 bed: $901K (17 sales) Clayton — 3 bed: $820K (48 sales)

17 vs 48 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.

Oakleigh South Clayton
2 bed $950K / $1.2M
Oakleigh South — 2 bed: $950K (7 sales) Clayton — 2 bed: $1.2M (8 sales)

7 vs 8 sales

3 bed $1.1M / $1.28M
Oakleigh South — 3 bed: $1.1M (50 sales) Clayton — 3 bed: $1.28M (63 sales)

50 vs 63 sales

4 bed $1.28M / $1.43M
Oakleigh South — 4 bed: $1.28M (39 sales) Clayton — 4 bed: $1.43M (17 sales)

39 vs 17 sales

5 bed $1.43M / $1.21M
Oakleigh South — 5 bed: $1.43M (8 sales) Clayton — 5 bed: $1.21M (7 sales)

8 vs 7 sales

Zoning mix

Clayton has more commercially zoned land (48% vs 2%).

Oakleigh South Clayton
Commercial 2% 48%
Residential 40% 4%
Other and special use 33% 11%
Infrastructure and transport 9% 24%
Industrial 13% 12%
Parks and recreation 3% 1%
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

Oakleigh South Clayton
New dwellings approved 1,233
across Monash
same for both
Approvals change year on year -4%
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.

Oakleigh South Clayton
Houses 3.2%
$750/wk on $1.24M
 3.9%
$700/wk on $945K
Units 4.7%
$562/wk on $625K
 5.3%
$550/wk on $544K

Ranking within VIC

Oakleigh South Clayton
House price Higher than 78% of VIC Higher than 82% of VIC
Income Higher than 72% of VIC Higher than 45% of VIC
Schools Higher than 99% of VIC Higher than 22% of VIC
Walkability Higher than 93% of VIC Higher than 99% of VIC
Affordability Higher than 23% of VIC Higher than 7% of VIC
EV adoption Higher than 93% of VIC Higher than 94% of VIC
NBN connectivity Higher than 90% of VIC Higher than 94% of VIC
Rental yield (houses) Higher than 20% of VIC Higher than 59% of VIC
Rental yield (units) Higher than 44% of VIC Higher than 73% of VIC

Liveability

Oakleigh South scores higher overall (82 vs 55); Clayton is more walkable (97 vs 80).

Oakleigh South Clayton
Grade A+ B
Score 82/100 55/100
Socio-economic band advantaged area
decile 8/10
 advantaged area
decile 7/10

Risk profile

Clayton carries more flood risk (34 vs 24); Clayton carries more crime risk (85 vs 66).

Oakleigh South Clayton
Bushfire None
0/100
same for both
Crime Moderate
66/100
 High
85/100
Flood Low
24/100
 Low
34/100
Coastal erosion None
0/100
same for both
Aircraft noise None
0/100
same for both
Industrial facilities nearby 23
within 5 km
 21
within 5 km

Schools

Oakleigh South Clayton
Inside the suburb 3 5
Rated above peers 3 0
Rated at peers 0 1
Rated below peers 0 1
Universities within 10 km 3
Monash Clayton, 3.2 km
 3
Monash Clayton, 0.0 km
Full-time students aged 15–24 2.9% 17.3%

Schools in Oakleigh South

  • Huntingdale Primary School Government · Primary above peers
  • Oakleigh South Primary School Government · Primary above peers
  • South Oakleigh College Government · Secondary above peers

Schools in Clayton

  • Clayton North Primary School Government · Primary at peers
  • St Peter's School Catholic · Primary below peers
  • John Monash Science School Government · Secondary
  • SEDA College (Victoria) - AFL - Clayton Independent · Secondary
  • Monash Children's Hospital School Government · Combined · Special school

Amenities in the suburb

Oakleigh South Clayton
Supermarkets 1 11
Cafes & restaurants 5 81
Parks & reserves 12 21
Childcare 11 14
GPs 0 10
Pharmacies 2 5
Hospitals 0 4
Police stations 0 1
Banks & Bank@Post 1 6
Fuel stations 2 5
EV chargers 1
same for both
Waterways 0 2

Mobility

Oakleigh South Clayton
Walkability score 80/100 97/100
Distance to Melbourne 22 km 22.1 km
Drive time (normal traffic) 30 min 29 min
Public transport score 79/100
Bus
 84/100
Rail · Bus
Peak arrivals per hour 291.5
7-9am + 5-7pm
 590.2
7-9am + 5-7pm
Median peak wait 0 min
scheduled, not actual
same for both
Electric vehicle share 1.9%
postcode 3167
 2.0%
postcode 3168
Rooftop solar per 100 dwellings 28
postcode 3167
 14
postcode 3168

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.

Oakleigh South Clayton
Car (driver) 54.5% / 49.9%
Oakleigh South — Car (driver): 54.5% Clayton — Car (driver): 49.9%
Worked from Home 33.2% / 23.9%
Oakleigh South — Worked from Home: 33.2% Clayton — Worked from Home: 23.9%
Train 4.8% / 9.4%
Oakleigh South — Train: 4.8% Clayton — Train: 9.4%
Walked Only 1.5% / 6.8%
Oakleigh South — Walked Only: 1.5% Clayton — Walked Only: 6.8%
Car (passenger) 3.7% / 4.3%
Oakleigh South — Car (passenger): 3.7% Clayton — Car (passenger): 4.3%
Bus 1.8% / 4.7%
Oakleigh South — Bus: 1.8% Clayton — Bus: 4.7%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (54.5%).

Setting

Oakleigh South Clayton
Elevation 61 m
above sea level, at the suburb centre
 88 m
above sea level, at the suburb centre
Distance to the ocean 7.8 km 10.1 km

NBN connectivity

Oakleigh South Clayton
Connectivity score 80/100 87/100
Most common technology Hybrid fibre-coaxial Fibre to the premises
Full-fibre (FTTP) share 16%
4,564 premises
 49%
10,841 premises

Climate

Oakleigh South Clayton
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)

Oakleigh South Clayton
PM2.5 7.6 µg/m³ 6.3 µg/m³
PM10 — 20.8 µg/m³
NO₂ — 0.98 pphm

Council rates

Oakleigh South Clayton
Average residential rate $1,697/yr
same for both
Council Monash
same for both

Federal electorate

Oakleigh South Clayton
Division Hotham
same for both
Member Clare O'Neil
same for both
Party Australian Labor Party
same for both

First Home Owner Grant

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

Tags

Oakleigh South

Middle-Ring Multicultural Parks

Clayton

Cafe Culture Middle-Ring Multicultural Parks Students Townhouses Transport Hub

More comparisons

Other comparisons with Oakleigh South

Oakleigh South vs Bentleigh East Oakleigh South vs Oakleigh Oakleigh South vs Hughesdale Oakleigh South vs Clarinda Oakleigh South vs Oakleigh East Oakleigh South vs Moorabbin

Other comparisons with Clayton

Clayton vs Mount Waverley Clayton vs Springvale Clayton vs Mulgrave Clayton vs Clayton South Clayton vs Clarinda Clayton vs Oakleigh East
Full data on Oakleigh South Full data on Clayton
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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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