South Yarra vs Prahran

In both, most households rent, most homes are flats or apartments, and most households are people living alone. Units cost more in South Yarra: a median of $542,000, against $472,000 in Prahran. South Yarra is closer to the city centre: 5.6 km, against 7.6 km.

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

South Yarra

ahead on 3 of the 6 things we measure here

  • has more schools inside the suburb (8 vs 1)
  • has more parks and reserves (17 vs 9)
  • has more childcare (9 vs 5)
  • But Prahran has more separate houses rather than flats (18% vs 7%)

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

First-home buyers

Prahran

ahead on 2 of the 3 things we measure here

  • has cheaper units ($472,000 vs $542,000)
  • has cheaper houses ($1,600,000 vs $1,790,000)

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

South Yarra

ahead on 2 of the 4 things we measure here

  • has a shorter drive in (13 min vs 18 min)
  • sits closer to the CBD (5.6 km vs 7.6 km)

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

Downsizers and retirees

They split

one each way, out of the 5 things we measure here

  • South Yarra has more units and townhouses to downsize into (93% vs 82%)
  • Prahran has more GPs (10 vs 7)

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

Investors

South Yarra

ahead on 2 of the 3 things we measure here

  • is growing faster (-0.5% vs -6.0%)
  • returns a higher gross yield on units (5.9% vs 5.0%)
  • But Prahran returns a higher gross yield on houses (3.2% vs 2.4%)

Weighs house yield, unit yield, and population growth.

Where they sit

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

South Yarra Prahran
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.

South Yarra Prahran
Walkability 99 / 99
South Yarra — Walkability: 99/100 Prahran — Walkability: 99/100
Safety 13 / 6
South Yarra — Safety: 13/100 Prahran — Safety: 6/100
Low fire risk 100 / 100
South Yarra — Low fire risk: 100/100 Prahran — Low fire risk: 100/100
Low flood risk 41 / 58
South Yarra — Low flood risk: 41/100 Prahran — Low flood risk: 58/100

Demographics

South Yarra has more residents (25,028 vs 12,203).

South Yarra Prahran
Population 25,028
+51% vs other
 12,203
Population trend (2016 → 2021) -0.5% -6.0%
Median age 33 34
Median household income $107,276/yr $110,292/yr
+3% vs other
Median weekly rent $415/wk $421/wk
+1% vs other

Age profile

Share of residents in each band, 2021 Census.

South Yarra Prahran
0-4 2.8% / 4.0%
South Yarra — 0-4: 2.8% Prahran — 0-4: 4.0%
5-14 4.3% / 4.6%
South Yarra — 5-14: 4.3% Prahran — 5-14: 4.6%
15-19 3.0% / 2.4%
South Yarra — 15-19: 3.0% Prahran — 15-19: 2.4%
20-24 8.7% / 7.9%
South Yarra — 20-24: 8.7% Prahran — 20-24: 7.9%
25-34 34.1% / 31.2%
South Yarra — 25-34: 34.1% Prahran — 25-34: 31.2%
35-44 16.7% / 18.1%
South Yarra — 35-44: 16.7% Prahran — 35-44: 18.1%
45-54 9.8% / 10.9%
South Yarra — 45-54: 9.8% Prahran — 45-54: 10.9%
55-64 8.4% / 8.4%
South Yarra — 55-64: 8.4% Prahran — 55-64: 8.4%
65-74 6.8% / 6.2%
South Yarra — 65-74: 6.8% Prahran — 65-74: 6.2%
75-84 4.1% / 4.2%
South Yarra — 75-84: 4.1% Prahran — 75-84: 4.2%
85+ 1.4% / 2.1%
South Yarra — 85+: 1.4% Prahran — 85+: 2.1%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (34.1%).

Who lives together

Household composition, 2021 Census.

South Yarra 67.7% lone person
South Yarra — Lone Person: 67.7% South Yarra — Couple Families: 12.3% South Yarra — Group Household: 11.6% South Yarra — One Parent Families: 6.2% South Yarra — Other Families: 2.2%
Prahran 61.4% lone person
Prahran — Lone Person: 61.4% Prahran — Couple Families: 16.9% Prahran — Group Household: 13.8% Prahran — One Parent Families: 6.0% Prahran — Other Families: 1.9%
Lone Person Couple Families Group Household One Parent Families Other Families

Who owns and who rents

Occupied private dwellings by tenure, 2021 Census.

South Yarra 63.5% renting
South Yarra — Owned Outright: 18.3% South Yarra — Mortgage: 18.2% South Yarra — Renting: 63.5%
Prahran 55.4% renting
Prahran — Owned Outright: 20.1% Prahran — Mortgage: 24.4% Prahran — Renting: 55.4%
Owned outright Mortgage Renting

Qualifications

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

South Yarra Prahran
Bachelor Degree 33.9% / 33.4%
South Yarra — Bachelor Degree: 33.9% Prahran — Bachelor Degree: 33.4%
Postgraduate Degree 15.7% / 12.2%
South Yarra — Postgraduate Degree: 15.7% Prahran — Postgraduate Degree: 12.2%
Advanced Diploma / Diploma 7.8% / 8.1%
South Yarra — Advanced Diploma / Diploma: 7.8% Prahran — Advanced Diploma / Diploma: 8.1%
Certificate III & IV 4.7% / 5.9%
South Yarra — Certificate III & IV: 4.7% Prahran — Certificate III & IV: 5.9%
Graduate Diploma / Certificate 3.7% / 3.8%
South Yarra — Graduate Diploma / Certificate: 3.7% Prahran — Graduate Diploma / Certificate: 3.8%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (33.9%).

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.

South Yarra Prahran
England 4.4% / 4.6%
South Yarra — England: 4.4% Prahran — England: 4.6%
New Zealand 3.1% / 3.2%
South Yarra — New Zealand: 3.1% Prahran — New Zealand: 3.2%
China 4.4% / 1.5%
South Yarra — China: 4.4% Prahran — China: 1.5%
India 2.1% / 1.4%
South Yarra — India: 2.1% Prahran — India: 1.4%
Greece — / 2.7%
South Yarra — Greece: not among its largest Prahran — Greece: 2.7%
Malaysia 1.5% / 1.0%
South Yarra — Malaysia: 1.5% Prahran — Malaysia: 1.0%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (4.6%).

What people live in

Occupied private dwellings by structure, 2021 Census.

South Yarra 79.8% flats / apartments
South Yarra — Flats / Apartments: 79.8% South Yarra — Townhouses: 12.8% South Yarra — Houses: 7.4%
Prahran 60.1% flats / apartments
Prahran — Flats / Apartments: 60.1% Prahran — Townhouses: 21.6% Prahran — Houses: 18.3%
Flats / Apartments Townhouses Houses

Property market

South Yarra Prahran
Median house price $1,790,000 $1,600,000
Median unit price $542,000 $472,000
Median land price $702,000 —
Typical days to sell (houses) 25 days
from 113 sales
 24 days
from 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.

South Yarra Prahran
2 bed $1.36M / $1.37M
South Yarra — 2 bed: $1.36M (57 sales) Prahran — 2 bed: $1.37M (44 sales)

57 vs 44 sales

3 bed $2.04M / $1.74M
South Yarra — 3 bed: $2.04M (81 sales) Prahran — 3 bed: $1.74M (65 sales)

81 vs 65 sales

4 bed $3M / $2.77M
South Yarra — 4 bed: $3M (41 sales) Prahran — 4 bed: $2.77M (11 sales)

41 vs 11 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.

South Yarra Prahran
1 bed $388K / $375K
South Yarra — 1 bed: $388K (542 sales) Prahran — 1 bed: $375K (184 sales)

542 vs 184 sales

2 bed $640K / $605K
South Yarra — 2 bed: $640K (603 sales) Prahran — 2 bed: $605K (175 sales)

603 vs 175 sales

3 bed $1.47M / $900K
South Yarra — 3 bed: $1.47M (100 sales) Prahran — 3 bed: $900K (19 sales)

100 vs 19 sales

Zoning mix

South Yarra Prahran
Residential 55% 67%
Parks and recreation 19% 5%
Commercial 14% 18%
Infrastructure and transport 10% 9%
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

South Yarra Prahran
New dwellings approved 818
across Stonnington
same for both
Approvals change year on year +67%
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.

South Yarra Prahran
Houses 2.4%
$910/wk on $1.94M
 3.2%
$1,000/wk on $1.6M
Units 5.9%
$630/wk on $555K
 5.0%
$550/wk on $575K

Ranking within VIC

South Yarra Prahran
House price Higher than 96% of VIC Higher than 91% of VIC
Income Higher than 79% of VIC Higher than 82% of VIC
Schools Higher than 77% of VIC —
Walkability Higher than 99% of VIC
same for both
Affordability Higher than 2% of VIC Higher than 12% of VIC
EV adoption Higher than 96% of VIC
same for both
NBN connectivity Higher than 89% of VIC Higher than 88% of VIC
Rental yield (houses) Higher than 3% of VIC Higher than 25% of VIC
Rental yield (units) Higher than 91% of VIC Higher than 60% of VIC

Liveability

South Yarra Prahran
Grade A
same for both
Score 77/100 80/100
Socio-economic band very advantaged area
decile 10/10
same for both

Risk profile

South Yarra carries more flood risk (59 vs 42).

South Yarra Prahran
Bushfire None
0/100
same for both
Crime High
87/100
 High
94/100
Flood Moderate
59/100
 Moderate
42/100
Coastal erosion None
0/100
same for both
Aircraft noise None
0/100
same for both
Industrial facilities nearby 14
within 5 km
 12
within 5 km

Schools

South Yarra Prahran
Inside the suburb 8 1
Rated above peers 3 0
Rated at peers 1
same for both
Rated below peers 0
same for both
Universities within 10 km 3
Melbourne C.Q.U Campus, 2.4 km
 3
Melbourne C.Q.U Campus, 3.9 km
Full-time students aged 15–24 3.9% 3.3%

Schools in South Yarra

  • Christ Church Grammar School Independent · Primary above peers
  • Melbourne High School Government · Secondary above peers
  • South Yarra Primary School Government · Primary above peers
  • Melbourne Girls Grammar Independent · Combined at peers
  • Centre for Higher Education Studies Government · Secondary
  • Melbourne Girls Grammar - Morris Hall Campus Independent · Combined

Schools in Prahran

  • Our Lady of Lourdes School Catholic · Primary at peers

Amenities in the suburb

South Yarra Prahran
Supermarkets 7 3
Cafes & restaurants 82 29
Parks & reserves 17 9
Childcare 9 5
GPs 7 10
Pharmacies 10 5
Hospitals 0 1
Police stations 0 1
Banks & Bank@Post 6 1
Fuel stations 2 3
Waterways 1 0

Mobility

Prahran sits further from the CBD (7.6 km vs 5.6 km).

South Yarra Prahran
Walkability score 99/100
same for both
Distance to Melbourne 5.6 km 7.6 km
+36% vs other
Drive time (normal traffic) 13 min 18 min
Public transport score 96/100
Rail · Tram · Bus
same for both
Peak arrivals per hour 408.0
7-9am + 5-7pm
 262.2
7-9am + 5-7pm
Median peak wait 0 min
scheduled, not actual
same for both
Electric vehicle share 2.4%
postcode 3141
 2.2%
postcode 3181
Rooftop solar per 100 dwellings 3
postcode 3141
 5
postcode 3181

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.

South Yarra Prahran
Worked from Home 53.0% / 51.9%
South Yarra — Worked from Home: 53.0% Prahran — Worked from Home: 51.9%
Car (driver) 23.0% / 27.4%
South Yarra — Car (driver): 23.0% Prahran — Car (driver): 27.4%
Walked Only 8.8% / 7.4%
South Yarra — Walked Only: 8.8% Prahran — Walked Only: 7.4%
Train 8.4% / 5.3%
South Yarra — Train: 8.4% Prahran — Train: 5.3%
Tram / Light Rail 2.9% / 4.4%
South Yarra — Tram / Light Rail: 2.9% Prahran — Tram / Light Rail: 4.4%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (53.0%).

Setting

South Yarra Prahran
Elevation 18 m
above sea level, at the suburb centre
 30 m
above sea level, at the suburb centre
Distance to the ocean 3.1 km
3.0 km to a named beach
 2.8 km
3.0 km to a named beach

NBN connectivity

South Yarra Prahran
Connectivity score 79/100 78/100
Most common technology Fibre to the building Hybrid fibre-coaxial
Full-fibre (FTTP) share 23%
20,401 premises
 19%
9,581 premises

Climate

South Yarra Prahran
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)

South Yarra Prahran
PM2.5 7.9 µg/m³
same for both
PM10 —
same for both
NO₂ —
same for both

Council rates

South Yarra Prahran
Average residential rate $1,647/yr
same for both
Council Stonnington
same for both

Federal electorate

South Yarra Prahran
Division Melbourne
same for both
Member Sarah Witty
same for both
Party Australian Labor Party
same for both

First Home Owner Grant

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

Tags

South Yarra

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

Prahran

Affordable Apartments Coastal Easy Commute Inner Parks Professionals Townhouses Trams Transport Hub Urban

More comparisons

Other comparisons with South Yarra

South Yarra vs Melbourne South Yarra vs Richmond South Yarra vs Toorak South Yarra vs Cremorne South Yarra vs Burnley

Other comparisons with Prahran

Prahran vs Melbourne Prahran vs Toorak Prahran vs St Kilda East Prahran vs Armadale Prahran vs Windsor
Full data on South Yarra Full data on Prahran
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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