Boomers bought big with little, now younger generations face massive debt just to get in. New data reveals how Melbourne’s housing market has transformed across decades.
The Baby Boomers really did have it better when it comes to housing.
Shock new figures show that inflation and wage growth has accounted for only a tiny fraction of Melbourne’s property price rises since the 1980s.
Instead, decades of undersupply of new homes and generations of Victorians bidding up prices have driven prices to levels that will permanently keep today’s first-home buyers out of some suburbs.
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Today’s $900,000 median house price would more than cover the cost of a 1980s Toorak house, $160,500 at the time or about $824,000 in today’s money.
The suburb’s typical residence is now worth $4.8m, almost six times higher, and far in front of inflation.
Suburbs like Malvern, Brighton, Kew and Albert Park have also recorded inflation-adjusted increases of between $2m and $3m.
In 1980, $900,000 could buy five homes in Toorak. Today, it barely covers one, a stark sign of Melbourne’s widening property wealth gap.
Even in more affordable pockets, younger generations are now struggling to enter the same markets their parents once bought into with modest incomes and low deposits.
PropTrack senior economist Eleanor Creagh said the data “lays bare” the widening generational wealth divide, and shows just how much opportunity has been locked behind property prices.
“Homeowners who bought in the ’80s or ’90s are now sitting on huge capital gains,” Ms Creagh said.
PropTrack’s Eleanor Creagh says today’s buyers face stretched affordability, rising debt burdens and a very different property landscape.
Saving for a house deposit once took three years. Now it can take more than a decade, despite rising incomes.
“Today’s first-home buyers face a completely different market, higher deposits, higher debt burdens, and affordability stretched close to record lows.”
According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, the average weekly earnings for full-time adults in March 1980 were just $245.70, or around $12,800 a year.
Adjusted for inflation, that’s roughly equivalent to $54,600 in today’s dollars.
22 Campbell St, Brighton, Sold for $54,000 in 1977, Sold for $5m in 2025 – for Herald Sun Real Estate
In contrast, the latest ABS figures show average full-time earnings are now $1,975.80 a week, or just over $102,000 annually.
While that represents a fourfold increase, house prices in some Melbourne suburbs have surged more than 30-fold over the same period.
Even in outer suburbs like Ferntree Gully, once a launch pad for working-class homeownership, prices have soared.
A house that cost $46,000 in 1980 — about $236,000 today — now has a median of over $870,000.
And while Baby Boomers frequently cite double-digit interest rates in the 1980s — which reached as high as 17 per cent by 1989 — Ms Creagh said they were borrowing far smaller sums relative to income.
“It’s a very different landscape,” she said.
“Back then, prices were much lower relative to wages.
“Today, you’re borrowing more, for longer, just to get in.”
M R Advocacy director Madeleine Roberts said younger Australians are getting strategic, using rentvesting and growth corridors to build equity.
M R Advocacy director and buyers’ agent Madeleine Roberts said modern buyers were being forced to think strategically, even creatively, just to get a foot on the ladder.
“It’s not about buying your forever home anymore,” Ms Roberts said.
“It’s about building equity, through rentvesting, buying in growth corridors, or even interstate”
In 1989, mortgage rates hit 17 per cent, but buyers borrowed far less. Today’s lower rates mask record-breaking debt levels.
“Everyone wants the dream home, but the reality is you’ve got to start somewhere. And that somewhere often looks very different now.”
Ms Roberts said while many young buyers still dreamt of owning property, their journey was shaped more by investment strategy than lifestyle goals.
“In the ’80s you could live out of home, get married young and buy a place not long after,” she said.
“These days you might be living at home into your late 20s just to save.”
Kay & Burton managing director Ross Savas said Toorak and Malvern still attract intergenerational wealth, tech money and global buyers. Photo: Josh Robenstone
Kay & Burton managing director Ross Savas said prestige suburbs like Toorak, Malvern and Armadale continue to attract intergenerational wealth, and will likely become even harder to access in decades to come.
“There’s a new wave of wealth entering the market — tech entrepreneurs, global buyers, young professionals,” Mr Savas said.
“But it’s underpinned by long-held family wealth.
“People still talk about the homes they missed out on 20 years ago. I’ve no doubt they’ll be saying the same thing in another 20.”
Mr Savas said the enduring appeal of Stonnington postcodes came down to lifestyle, elite schools, vibrant retail, and proximity to the CBD, but also scarcity.
“This is still one of the last asset classes in Australia that benefits from tax-free capital growth,” he said.
“That makes it a wealth-building opportunity as well as a lifestyle choice.”
While today’s buyers are unlikely to see the same meteoric gains their parents did, PropTrack senior economist Eleanor Creagh said Melbourne housing still held long-term potential, especially as population pressures and supply constraints continue.
“You may not get Toorak, but you can still build wealth,” Ms Creagh said.
“Start where you can, let compound growth work for you.
“The earlier you start, the more options you’ll have.”
Top Melbourne suburbs where house prices soared since 1980
| Suburb | 1980’s Average Price | 1980 Price (Indexed to 2025) | 2025 Projected Price | Difference (2025 – 1980) |
| Toorak | $160,500 | $824,200 | $4.80m | $4.64m |
| Deepdene | $66,450 | $341,200 | $3.81m | $3.75m |
| Canterbury | $70,500 | $362,000 | $3.48m | $3.40m |
| Malvern | $65,000 | $333,800 | $3.19m | $3.12m |
| Hawthorn | $66,085 | $339,300 | $3.07m | $3.00m |
| Brighton | $79,750 | $409,500 | $3.03m | $2.95m |
| Balwyn | $49,500 | $254,200 | $2.90m | $2.85m |
| Middle Park | $61,000 | $313,200 | $2.67m | $2.61m |
| Kew | $60,500 | $310,700 | $2.66m | $2.60m |
| Camberwell | $62,000 | $318,400 | $2.58m | $2.52m |
| Hawthorn East | $60,000 | $308,100 | $2.50m | $2.44m |
| Armadale | $68,500 | $351,800 | $2.44m | $2.38m |
| Mont Albert | $53,000 | $272,200 | $2.42m | $2.37m |
| Eaglemont | $59,250 | $304,300 | $2.41m | $2.35m |
| Ivanhoe East | $67,500 | $346,600 | $2.38m | $2.31m |
| Black Rock | $60,250 | $309,400 | $2.35m | $2.29m |
| Albert Park | $47,750 | $245,200 | $2.32m | $2.27m |
| Hampton | $47,000 | $241,300 | $2.32m | $2.27m |
| Surrey Hills | $49,000 | $251,600 | $2.31m | $2.26m |
| Balwyn North | $66,000 | $338,900 | $2.31m | $2.24m |
| Glen Iris | $53,325 | $273,800 | $2.26m | $2.20m |
| Caulfield North | $69,000 | $354,300 | $2.23m | $2.16m |
| Caulfield | $57,723 | $296,400 | $2.20m | $2.14m |
| Park Orchards | $74,350 | $381,800 | $2.20m | $2.13m |
| Kew East | $57,750 | $296,500 | $2.17m | $2.11m |
| Elwood | $50,000 | $256,800 | $2.14m | $2.09m |
| Sandringham | $51,500 | $264,500 | $2.06m | $2.01m |
| Brighton East | $58,000 | $297,800 | $2.04m | $1.98m |
| Malvern East | $50,000 | $256,800 | $2.00m | $1.95m |
| Beaumaris | $61,000 | $313,200 | $2.00m | $1.94m |
| Elsternwick | $52,000 | $267,000 | $1.95m | $1.90m |
| South Yarra | $70,000 | $359,500 | $1.94m | $1.86m |
| Ashburton | $40,500 | $208,000 | $1.87m | $1.83m |
| Ormond | $41,375 | $212,500 | $1.86m | $1.82m |
| Alphington | $35,500 | $182,300 | $1.84m | $1.80m |
| Aberfeldie | $42,000 | $215,700 | $1.81m | $1.77m |
| McKinnon | $41,500 | $213,100 | $1.80m | $1.76m |
| Sorrento | $35,000 | $179,700 | $1.79m | $1.75m |
| Ivanhoe | $46,500 | $238,800 | $1.76m | $1.72m |
| Fitzroy | $48,250 | $247,800 | $1.72m | $1.67m |
| Caulfield South | $46,000 | $236,200 | $1.72m | $1.67m |
| Essendon | $42,500 | $218,200 | $1.71m | $1.67m |
| Templestowe | $68,000 | $349,200 | $1.72m | $1.65m |
| Carnegie | $38,000 | $195,100 | $1.68m | $1.64m |
| Mont Albert North | $48,500 | $249,000 | $1.65m | $1.61m |
| Box Hill | $36,000 | $184,900 | $1.65m | $1.61m |
| Glen Waverley | $51,500 | $264,500 | $1.66m | $1.61m |
| St Kilda East | $61,500 | $315,800 | $1.66m | $1.60m |
| Princes Hill | $57,250 | $294,000 | $1.65m | $1.59m |
| Carlton North | $49,500 | $254,200 | $1.64m | $1.59m |
| Fairfield | $31,500 | $161,800 | $1.60m | $1.57m |
| Mount Waverley | $48,000 | $246,500 | $1.62m | $1.57m |
| Murrumbeena | $40,000 | $205,400 | $1.61m | $1.57m |
| Northcote | $29,250 | $150,200 | $1.60m | $1.57m |
| Strathmore | $46,500 | $238,800 | $1.61m | $1.57m |
| Bentleigh | $42,000 | $215,700 | $1.61m | $1.57m |
| Donvale | $52,975 | $272,000 | $1.61m | $1.56m |
| Mount Eliza | $65,000 | $333,800 | $1.61m | $1.55m |
| Doncaster East | $51,000 | $261,900 | $1.58m | $1.53m |
| Clifton Hill | $39,000 | $200,300 | $1.56m | $1.52m |
| Port Melbourne | $36,000 | $184,900 | $1.55m | $1.52m |
| Lower Plenty | $57,000 | $292,700 | $1.58m | $1.52m |
| St Kilda | $42,000 | $215,700 | $1.54m | $1.50m |
| Williamstown | $36,000 | $184,900 | $1.52m | $1.49m |
| South Melbourne | $44,000 | $225,900 | $1.53m | $1.49m |
| Prahran | $43,500 | $223,400 | $1.53m | $1.49m |
| Fitzroy North | $40,875 | $209,900 | $1.51m | $1.47m |
| Blackburn | $42,500 | $218,200 | $1.51m | $1.47m |
| Moonee Ponds | $36,000 | $184,900 | $1.48m | $1.44m |
| Bentleigh East | $41,500 | $213,100 | $1.48m | $1.44m |
| Ashwood | $38,250 | $196,400 | $1.47m | $1.43m |
| Parkdale | $37,975 | $195,000 | $1.46m | $1.42m |
| North Warrandyte | $55,000 | $282,400 | $1.45m | $1.40m |
| Vermont South | $60,000 | $308,100 | $1.46m | $1.40m |
| Mount Martha | $44,800 | $230,000 | $1.44m | $1.40m |
| Hughesdale | $30,650 | $157,400 | $1.43m | $1.40m |
| Doncaster | $59,000 | $303,000 | $1.45m | $1.39m |
| Highett | $38,000 | $195,100 | $1.43m | $1.39m |
| Hampton East | $38,500 | $197,700 | $1.42m | $1.38m |
| Box Hill South | $40,000 | $205,400 | $1.42m | $1.38m |
| Thornbury | $30,000 | $154,100 | $1.39m | $1.36m |
| Windsor | $42,750 | $219,500 | $1.40m | $1.36m |
| Warrandyte | $50,125 | $257,400 | $1.40m | $1.35m |
| Richmond | $34,000 | $174,600 | $1.38m | $1.35m |
| Balaclava | $39,000 | $200,300 | $1.38m | $1.34m |
| Wheelers Hill | $55,000 | $282,400 | $1.40m | $1.34m |
| Heidelberg | $48,000 | $246,500 | $1.37m | $1.33m |
| Somers | $44,000 | $225,900 | $1.36m | $1.32m |
| Blairgowrie | $29,035 | $149,100 | $1.35m | $1.32m |
| Brunswick East | $29,000 | $148,900 | $1.35m | $1.32m |
| Carlton | $50,000 | $256,800 | $1.37m | $1.32m |
| Burwood | $40,500 | $208,000 | $1.36m | $1.32m |
| Rosanna | $47,000 | $241,300 | $1.36m | $1.31m |
| Blackburn South | $40,500 | $208,000 | $1.33m | $1.29m |
| Templestowe Lower | $60,000 | $308,100 | $1.34m | $1.28m |
| Box Hill North | $39,000 | $200,300 | $1.32m | $1.28m |
| Oakleigh | $32,000 | $164,300 | $1.31m | $1.27m |
| Mentone | $49,000 | $251,600 | $1.31m | $1.26m |
| Aspendale | $35,500 | $182,300 | $1.29m | $1.26m |
| Mordialloc | $35,000 | $179,700 | $1.30m | $1.26m |
| Edithvale | $33,000 | $169,500 | $1.29m | $1.26m |
| Blackburn North | $40,000 | $205,400 | $1.29m | $1.25m |
| Brunswick West | $33,000 | $169,500 | $1.28m | $1.25m |
| Bulleen | $49,000 | $251,600 | $1.30m | $1.25m |
| Ascot Vale | $34,250 | $175,900 | $1.28m | $1.25m |
| North Melbourne | $41,750 | $214,400 | $1.28m | $1.24m |
| Burwood East | $45,500 | $233,600 | $1.29m | $1.24m |
| Brunswick | $28,000 | $143,800 | $1.26m | $1.23m |
| Cremorne | $30,000 | $154,100 | $1.26m | $1.23m |
| Vermont | $44,500 | $228,500 | $1.28m | $1.23m |
| Eltham North | $52,050 | $267,300 | $1.27m | $1.22m |
| McCrae | $33,000 | $169,500 | $1.25m | $1.22m |
| Moorabbin | $42,975 | $220,700 | $1.27m | $1.22m |
| Niddrie | $37,000 | $190,000 | $1.25m | $1.22m |
| Newport | $26,000 | $133,500 | $1.25m | $1.22m |
| Abbotsford | $30,800 | $158,200 | $1.23m | $1.20m |
| Essendon North | $37,250 | $191,300 | $1.23m | $1.19m |
| Wantirna South | $41,800 | $214,600 | $1.22m | $1.18m |
| Clayton | $33,100 | $170,000 | $1.21m | $1.18m |
| Eltham | $49,500 | $254,200 | $1.22m | $1.17m |
| Chadstone | $35,250 | $181,000 | $1.20m | $1.17m |
| Ringwood North | $43,500 | $223,400 | $1.22m | $1.17m |
| Cheltenham | $43,500 | $223,400 | $1.20m | $1.16m |
| Oakleigh East | $35,500 | $182,300 | $1.19m | $1.15m |
| Patterson Lakes | $37,360 | $191,800 | $1.18m | $1.14m |
| Oakleigh South | $37,875 | $194,500 | $1.18m | $1.14m |
| Forest Hill | $41,000 | $210,500 | $1.19m | $1.14m |
| Collingwood | $31,000 | $159,200 | $1.17m | $1.14m |
| Pascoe Vale South | $36,500 | $187,400 | $1.17m | $1.13m |
| Preston | $30,500 | $156,600 | $1.16m | $1.13m |
| Altona | $36,000 | $184,900 | $1.17m | $1.13m |
| Coburg | $29,625 | $152,100 | $1.16m | $1.13m |
| Viewbank | $52,000 | $267,000 | $1.17m | $1.12m |
| Safety Beach | $31,000 | $159,200 | $1.15m | $1.12m |
| Macleod | $41,000 | $210,500 | $1.15m | $1.11m |
| Frankston South | $45,000 | $231,100 | $1.16m | $1.11m |
| Nunawading | $38,000 | $195,100 | $1.15m | $1.11m |
| Keilor | $55,750 | $286,300 | $1.16m | $1.10m |
| Spotswood | $26,500 | $136,100 | $1.12m | $1.10m |
| Mitcham | $37,000 | $190,000 | $1.14m | $1.10m |
| Kingsville | $24,000 | $123,200 | $1.12m | $1.10m |
| Yarraville | $25,500 | $130,900 | $1.12m | $1.09m |
| Seddon | $20,000 | $102,700 | $1.10m | $1.08m |
| Montmorency | $39,975 | $205,300 | $1.11m | $1.08m |
| Maribyrnong | $33,125 | $170,100 | $1.10m | $1.07m |
| Mornington | $35,000 | $179,700 | $1.10m | $1.06m |
| Wantirna | $44,500 | $228,500 | $1.10m | $1.06m |
| Olinda | $40,000 | $205,400 | $1.10m | $1.06m |
| Kensington | $25,000 | $128,400 | $1.08m | $1.05m |
| Mulgrave | $40,000 | $205,400 | $1.09m | $1.05m |
| Dingley Village | $44,000 | $225,900 | $1.07m | $1.03m |
| Rowville | $36,630 | $188,100 | $1.05m | $1.02m |
| Flemington | $30,250 | $155,300 | $1.04m | $1.01m |
| Diamond Creek | $41,000 | $210,500 | $1.05m | $1.01m |
| Pascoe Vale | $35,000 | $179,700 | $1.03m | $1.00m |
| Heathmont | $38,925 | $199,900 | $1.04m | $999,075 |
| Bonbeach | $30,975 | $159,100 | $1.02m | $994,025 |
| Greensborough | $43,500 | $223,400 | $1.03m | $991,500 |
| Oak Park | $38,500 | $197,700 | $1.03m | $989,000 |
| Ringwood | $38,500 | $197,700 | $1.02m | $981,500 |
| Clarinda | $39,000 | $200,300 | $1.01m | $974,000 |
| Keilor East | $44,000 | $225,900 | $1.02m | $974,000 |
| Yallambie | $49,000 | $251,600 | $1.01m | $963,000 |
| Croydon North | $42,000 | $215,700 | $1.00m | $958,500 |
| Ringwood East | $34,975 | $179,600 | $991,000 | $956,025 |
| Rye | $28,000 | $143,800 | $975,000 | $947,000 |
| Coburg North | $32,000 | $164,300 | $972,500 | $940,500 |
| Dromana | $30,000 | $154,100 | $970,000 | $940,000 |
| Gisborne | $44,500 | $228,500 | $980,000 | $935,500 |
| Avondale Heights | $40,000 | $205,400 | $975,000 | $935,000 |
| Scoresby | $40,000 | $205,400 | $970,000 | $930,000 |
| Wandin North | $30,650 | $157,400 | $960,000 | $929,350 |
| Chelsea | $35,000 | $179,700 | $962,500 | $927,500 |
| Hurstbridge | $37,500 | $192,600 | $960,000 | $922,500 |
| Briar Hill | $46,400 | $238,300 | $968,000 | $921,600 |
| Footscray | $23,000 | $118,100 | $943,000 | $920,000 |
| Emerald | $35,350 | $181,500 | $950,000 | $914,650 |
| Chelsea Heights | $35,950 | $184,600 | $945,000 | $909,050 |
| Yarra Glen | $30,000 | $154,100 | $935,000 | $905,000 |
| Altona North | $37,650 | $193,300 | $942,500 | $904,850 |
| Montrose | $37,000 | $190,000 | $941,500 | $904,500 |
| Taylors Lakes | $46,950 | $241,100 | $950,000 | $903,050 |
| Watsonia | $37,600 | $193,100 | $940,000 | $902,400 |
| Airport West | $36,000 | $184,900 | $937,500 | $901,500 |
| Clayton South | $38,470 | $197,500 | $937,000 | $898,530 |
| West Footscray | $26,000 | $133,500 | $920,000 | $894,000 |
| Knoxfield | $37,250 | $191,300 | $928,500 | $891,250 |
| Keysborough | $38,500 | $197,700 | $908,000 | $869,500 |
| Bayswater North | $37,300 | $191,500 | $894,800 | $857,500 |
| Reservoir | $34,000 | $174,600 | $890,000 | $856,000 |
| Croydon South | $36,500 | $187,400 | $890,000 | $853,500 |
| Croydon | $36,000 | $184,900 | $888,000 | $852,000 |
| Carrum | $29,750 | $152,800 | $880,500 | $850,750 |
| Heidelberg Heights | $35,500 | $182,300 | $880,000 | $844,500 |
| Watsonia North | $42,600 | $218,800 | $886,600 | $844,000 |
| The Basin | $33,000 | $169,500 | $871,000 | $838,000 |
| Ferntree Gully | $36,350 | $186,700 | $873,000 | $836,650 |
| Tootgarook | $29,000 | $148,900 | $865,000 | $836,000 |
| Berwick | $41,625 | $213,700 | $875,000 | $833,375 |
| Tecoma | $31,000 | $159,200 | $860,000 | $829,000 |
| Bayswater | $37,200 | $191,000 | $865,000 | $827,800 |
| Upper Ferntree Gully | $30,750 | $157,900 | $856,500 | $825,750 |
| Monbulk | $35,000 | $179,700 | $860,200 | $825,200 |
| Upwey | $33,500 | $172,000 | $857,600 | $824,100 |
| Somerville | $34,000 | $174,600 | $855,000 | $821,000 |
| Tyabb | $34,950 | $179,500 | $850,000 | $815,050 |
| Boronia | $35,500 | $182,300 | $850,000 | $814,500 |
| Hadfield | $35,000 | $179,700 | $848,800 | $813,800 |
| Langwarrin | $39,000 | $200,300 | $850,000 | $811,000 |
| Bundoora | $42,000 | $215,700 | $852,000 | $810,000 |
| Springvale | $33,000 | $169,500 | $842,000 | $809,000 |
| Lilydale | $33,225 | $170,600 | $840,000 | $806,775 |
| Mount Evelyn | $31,000 | $159,200 | $835,000 | $804,000 |
| Belgrave | $31,000 | $159,200 | $835,000 | $804,000 |
| Chirnside Park | $45,000 | $231,100 | $842,500 | $797,500 |
| Maidstone | $27,500 | $141,200 | $820,000 | $792,500 |
| Seaford | $33,000 | $169,500 | $825,000 | $792,000 |
| Springvale South | $38,000 | $195,100 | $820,000 | $782,000 |
| Keilor Park | $45,000 | $231,100 | $824,200 | $779,200 |
| Glenroy | $34,000 | $174,600 | $811,000 | $777,000 |
| Mooroolbark | $36,475 | $187,300 | $812,500 | $776,025 |
| Endeavour Hills | $38,950 | $200,000 | $810,000 | $771,050 |
| Kingsbury | $36,125 | $185,500 | $800,000 | $763,875 |
| Healesville | $29,750 | $152,800 | $792,500 | $762,750 |
| Kilsyth | $36,500 | $187,400 | $795,000 | $758,500 |
| Heidelberg West | $28,875 | $148,300 | $780,000 | $751,125 |
| Sunshine | $27,000 | $138,600 | $773,500 | $746,500 |
| Mill Park | $43,975 | $225,800 | $790,000 | $746,025 |
| Noble Park North | $37,000 | $190,000 | $775,000 | $738,000 |
| Noble Park | $35,000 | $179,700 | $770,000 | $735,000 |
| Rosebud | $27,500 | $141,200 | $760,000 | $732,500 |
| Fawkner | $35,000 | $179,700 | $766,500 | $731,500 |
| Keilor Downs | $41,350 | $212,300 | $765,000 | $723,650 |
| Cockatoo | $27,275 | $140,100 | $750,000 | $722,725 |
| Dandenong North | $38,000 | $195,100 | $755,000 | $717,000 |
| Albion | $25,500 | $130,900 | $737,500 | $712,000 |
| Braybrook | $24,475 | $125,700 | $735,000 | $710,525 |
| Narre Warren | $34,995 | $179,700 | $745,000 | $710,005 |
| Sunshine North | $30,000 | $154,100 | $735,000 | $705,000 |
| Tullamarine | $43,675 | $224,300 | $745,000 | $701,325 |
| Frankston | $36,000 | $184,900 | $735,000 | $699,000 |
| Baxter | $32,000 | $164,300 | $730,000 | $698,000 |
| Hallam | $37,000 | $190,000 | $730,000 | $693,000 |
| Gladstone Park | $42,000 | $215,700 | $734,000 | $692,000 |
| Altona Meadows | $39,000 | $200,300 | $730,000 | $691,000 |
| Capel Sound | $29,200 | $149,900 | $720,000 | $690,800 |
| Yarra Junction | $25,750 | $132,200 | $715,000 | $689,250 |
| Launching Place | $34,000 | $174,600 | $722,000 | $688,000 |
| Thomastown | $39,000 | $200,300 | $720,000 | $681,000 |
| Crib Point | $25,500 | $130,900 | $705,000 | $679,500 |
| Carrum Downs | $34,950 | $179,500 | $711,000 | $676,050 |
| Dandenong | $34,440 | $176,900 | $710,000 | $675,560 |
| Whittlesea | $39,975 | $205,300 | $712,500 | $672,525 |
| Lalor | $37,500 | $192,600 | $701,000 | $663,500 |
| Woori Yallock | $27,000 | $138,600 | $690,000 | $663,000 |
| Kealba | $39,000 | $200,300 | $700,000 | $661,000 |
| Warburton | $22,500 | $115,500 | $667,500 | $645,000 |
| Sunshine West | $36,000 | $184,900 | $680,000 | $644,000 |
| Ardeer | $30,500 | $156,600 | $672,500 | $642,000 |
| Hastings | $33,950 | $174,300 | $670,000 | $636,050 |
| Sunbury | $37,000 | $190,000 | $670,000 | $633,000 |
| Deer Park | $35,000 | $179,700 | $667,000 | $632,000 |
| Hampton Park | $34,950 | $179,500 | $665,000 | $630,050 |
| Cranbourne | $33,250 | $170,700 | $660,000 | $626,750 |
| Epping | $40,248 | $206,700 | $665,000 | $624,752 |
| St Albans | $35,000 | $179,700 | $655,000 | $620,000 |
| Westmeadows | $44,250 | $227,200 | $660,000 | $615,750 |
| Diggers Rest | $34,500 | $177,200 | $650,000 | $615,500 |
| Pakenham | $36,900 | $189,500 | $650,500 | $613,600 |
| Craigieburn | $37,500 | $192,600 | $650,000 | $612,500 |
| Hoppers Crossing | $38,000 | $195,100 | $621,000 | $583,000 |
| Campbellfield | $38,000 | $195,100 | $621,000 | $583,000 |
| Frankston North | $24,625 | $126,500 | $605,000 | $580,375 |
| Kings Park | $36,500 | $187,400 | $615,000 | $578,500 |
| Albanvale | $35,000 | $179,700 | $612,000 | $577,000 |
| Millgrove | $23,350 | $119,900 | $597,500 | $574,150 |
| Werribee | $35,973 | $184,700 | $610,000 | $574,027 |
| Doveton | $27,250 | $139,900 | $600,000 | $572,750 |
| Jacana | $30,000 | $154,100 | $602,000 | $572,000 |
| Bacchus Marsh | $39,400 | $202,300 | $610,000 | $570,600 |
| Broadmeadows | $28,000 | $143,800 | $592,500 | $564,500 |
| Laverton | $30,000 | $154,100 | $590,000 | $560,000 |
| Wyndham Vale | $33,775 | $173,400 | $575,500 | $541,725 |
| Coolaroo | $29,000 | $148,900 | $560,000 | $531,000 |
| Dallas | $31,000 | $159,200 | $555,000 | $524,000 |
| Melton West | $35,050 | $180,000 | $540,000 | $504,950 |
| Melton South | $30,500 | $156,600 | $519,200 | $488,700 |
| Melton | $30,000 | $154,100 | $475,000 | $445,000 |
Source: PropTrack
Top Melbourne suburbs where unit prices soared since 1980
| Suburb | 1980’s Average Price | 1980 Price (Indexed to 2025) | 2025 Projected Price | Difference (2025 – 1980) |
| Brighton | $61,000 | $313,200 | $1.31m | $1.25m |
| Beaumaris | $49,600 | $254,700 | $1.28m | $1.23m |
| Black Rock | $47,000 | $241,300 | $1.27m | $1.23m |
| Brighton East | $49,750 | $255,500 | $1.19m | $1.14m |
| Mount Waverley | $40,000 | $205,400 | $1.09m | $1.05m |
| Canterbury | $44,250 | $227,200 | $1.08m | $1.04m |
| Toorak | $60,250 | $309,400 | $990,000 | $929,750 |
| Glen Waverley | $47,950 | $246,200 | $946,500 | $898,550 |
| Hampton | $41,000 | $210,500 | $927,500 | $886,500 |
| Vermont | $45,125 | $231,700 | $928,900 | $883,775 |
| Caulfield South | $34,000 | $174,600 | $900,000 | $866,000 |
| Camberwell | $47,000 | $241,300 | $895,500 | $848,500 |
| Clifton Hill | $24,300 | $124,800 | $870,000 | $845,700 |
| Surrey Hills | $42,075 | $216,100 | $870,000 | $827,925 |
| Mitcham | $37,625 | $193,200 | $863,000 | $825,375 |
| Kew | $54,225 | $278,400 | $879,000 | $824,775 |
| Bentleigh East | $30,000 | $154,100 | $850,000 | $820,000 |
| Box Hill North | $40,500 | $208,000 | $858,000 | $817,500 |
| Balwyn | $50,000 | $256,800 | $851,800 | $801,800 |
| Williamstown | $38,500 | $197,700 | $840,000 | $801,500 |
| Aspendale | $30,000 | $154,100 | $822,200 | $792,200 |
| Nunawading | $34,250 | $175,900 | $825,000 | $790,750 |
| Glen Iris | $37,625 | $193,200 | $820,000 | $782,375 |
| Parkdale | $33,750 | $173,300 | $802,500 | $768,750 |
| Mont Albert | $44,500 | $228,500 | $800,000 | $755,500 |
| Mornington | $34,500 | $177,200 | $757,000 | $722,500 |
| Fairfield | $18,500 | $95,000 | $735,000 | $716,500 |
| Clayton | $33,500 | $172,000 | $750,000 | $716,500 |
| Hughesdale | $36,000 | $184,900 | $746,500 | $710,500 |
| Bonbeach | $28,375 | $145,700 | $730,800 | $702,425 |
| Murrumbeena | $27,000 | $138,600 | $722,500 | $695,500 |
| Ringwood East | $36,500 | $187,400 | $730,000 | $693,500 |
| Greensborough | $38,000 | $195,100 | $728,000 | $690,000 |
| Ivanhoe | $44,000 | $225,900 | $730,000 | $686,000 |
| Mordialloc | $29,000 | $148,900 | $713,800 | $684,800 |
| Elsternwick | $37,250 | $191,300 | $722,000 | $684,750 |
| Altona | $36,000 | $184,900 | $720,000 | $684,000 |
| Bentleigh | $34,000 | $174,600 | $711,000 | $677,000 |
| Chelsea | $29,875 | $153,400 | $705,000 | $675,125 |
| Armadale | $33,125 | $170,100 | $702,500 | $669,375 |
| Malvern | $41,250 | $211,800 | $709,000 | $667,750 |
| Mentone | $33,750 | $173,300 | $690,000 | $656,250 |
| Cheltenham | $33,358 | $171,300 | $683,000 | $649,642 |
| Bayswater | $31,500 | $161,800 | $680,000 | $648,500 |
| Croydon | $32,000 | $164,300 | $680,000 | $648,000 |
| Sandringham | $41,250 | $211,800 | $687,500 | $646,250 |
| Ferntree Gully | $32,300 | $165,900 | $665,500 | $633,200 |
| Elwood | $28,500 | $146,300 | $660,000 | $631,500 |
| Northcote | $21,000 | $107,800 | $650,000 | $629,000 |
| Boronia | $33,000 | $169,500 | $660,500 | $627,500 |
| Glen Huntly | $40,000 | $205,400 | $666,000 | $626,000 |
| Thornbury | $21,000 | $107,800 | $645,000 | $624,000 |
| Heidelberg | $41,500 | $213,100 | $665,000 | $623,500 |
| Carnegie | $34,250 | $175,900 | $650,000 | $615,750 |
| Fitzroy North | $30,000 | $154,100 | $645,000 | $615,000 |
| Seaford | $33,000 | $169,500 | $645,000 | $612,000 |
| Blackburn | $40,000 | $205,400 | $652,000 | $612,000 |
| Pascoe Vale | $34,500 | $177,200 | $645,000 | $610,500 |
| Caulfield North | $36,500 | $187,400 | $641,000 | $604,500 |
| Preston | $31,500 | $161,800 | $631,200 | $599,700 |
| Bayswater North | $30,500 | $156,600 | $630,000 | $599,500 |
| Highett | $34,500 | $177,200 | $631,800 | $597,300 |
| Ormond | $24,000 | $123,200 | $620,000 | $596,000 |
| Capel Sound | $32,625 | $167,500 | $627,500 | $594,875 |
| Reservoir | $32,000 | $164,300 | $625,000 | $593,000 |
| Springvale | $30,500 | $156,600 | $622,000 | $591,500 |
| Springvale South | $33,000 | $169,500 | $621,500 | $588,500 |
| St Kilda East | $30,000 | $154,100 | $610,000 | $580,000 |
| Ringwood | $35,700 | $183,300 | $615,000 | $579,300 |
| West Footscray | $30,000 | $154,100 | $609,000 | $579,000 |
| Doncaster | $43,750 | $224,700 | $608,000 | $564,250 |
| Hawthorn | $38,159 | $195,900 | $599,500 | $561,341 |
| Brunswick | $27,250 | $139,900 | $588,000 | $560,750 |
| Balaclava | $27,000 | $138,600 | $585,800 | $558,800 |
| Richmond | $19,950 | $102,400 | $575,000 | $555,050 |
| Malvern East | $36,500 | $187,400 | $588,500 | $552,000 |
| Box Hill | $36,250 | $186,100 | $586,000 | $549,750 |
| Hawthorn East | $30,250 | $155,300 | $577,500 | $547,250 |
| Glenroy | $33,000 | $169,500 | $580,000 | $547,000 |
| Oakleigh | $37,000 | $190,000 | $583,500 | $546,500 |
| Coburg | $28,000 | $143,800 | $572,000 | $544,000 |
| Essendon | $37,000 | $190,000 | $580,000 | $543,000 |
| Moonee Ponds | $35,750 | $183,600 | $572,500 | $536,750 |
| St Kilda West | $25,750 | $132,200 | $550,000 | $524,250 |
| Noble Park | $31,500 | $161,800 | $555,000 | $523,500 |
| Frankston | $33,000 | $169,500 | $550,000 | $517,000 |
| Tullamarine | $41,000 | $210,500 | $557,500 | $516,500 |
| Ascot Vale | $25,000 | $128,400 | $539,000 | $514,000 |
| Footscray | $22,750 | $116,800 | $530,000 | $507,250 |
| Windsor | $30,000 | $154,100 | $535,500 | $505,500 |
| Brunswick West | $27,000 | $138,600 | $530,000 | $503,000 |
| South Yarra | $38,000 | $195,100 | $540,000 | $502,000 |
| Albion | $19,750 | $101,400 | $520,000 | $500,250 |
| Burwood East | $47,000 | $241,300 | $542,000 | $495,000 |
| St Kilda | $24,125 | $123,900 | $505,000 | $480,875 |
| Maribyrnong | $24,450 | $125,600 | $490,000 | $465,550 |
| Prahran | $33,000 | $169,500 | $491,800 | $458,800 |
| Cranbourne | $26,975 | $138,500 | $480,000 | $453,025 |
| Dandenong | $29,000 | $148,900 | $472,500 | $443,500 |
| Parkville | $63,500 | $326,100 | $500,000 | $436,500 |
| North Melbourne | $32,500 | $166,900 | $465,000 | $432,500 |
| Melbourne | $47,000 | $241,300 | $440,000 | $393,000 |
| Carlton | $66,500 | $341,500 | $342,500 | $276,000 |
Source: PropTrack
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