Get a property report and suburb profile for any property in Bentleigh East

Bentleigh East is an established, family-oriented suburb in Melbourne’s south-east with leafy streets and a distinctly suburban feel. Housing is largely mid-century brick and weatherboard on generous blocks, with pockets of renovated homes and newer townhouses. The community of 30,159 has a median age of 40, and housing is mostly owner-occupied — about three in four homes are owned outright or with a mortgage — while a quarter are rented. Couple families, many with children, make up the bulk of households.

Everyday life is shaped by neighbourhood parks, sports ovals and walking routes, with nearby shopping strips, schools and public transport links for day-to-day needs. The East Village precinct is planned as a mixed-use regeneration including commercial space, new homes and around 5 per cent affordable housing, and there are local upgrades under way at the Southern Autistic School, the kindergarten and Bailey Reserve. That mix tends to suit families, professionals and downsizers seeking a quiet residential setting within easy reach of south-eastern Melbourne; whether it fits you depends on what you’re after.

In Bentleigh East, buying sits noticeably above what a typical local household earned at the last Census. The median house price of $1,390,000 is about 12.1 times a typical local annual household income at the last Census (weekly household income $2,215 ? annual $115,180), and the median unit price of $858,000 is about 7.5 times that annual household income.

Renting looks less stretched on these figures. The average house rent of $895 a week would take about 40.4% of a typical local household's weekly income at the last Census, while the average unit rent of $600 a week would take roughly 27.1%. On the figures, buying is the more stretched option against local incomes at the last Census; whether that feels expensive depends on your own income and circumstances.

Everyone's financial situation is different, so it's important to consider your own circumstances when deciding which suburb is right for you.

The most notable movement in Bentleigh East over the past 12 months was in units: median unit values climbed 14.9%, a strong rise, while unit rents edged up 1.7%.

House values rose slightly, 1.9%, while house rents increased 4.1%, a modest rise, so for houses rental income grew faster than capital value this year. Which of those patterns matters most will depend on whether you prioritise capital growth or rental income.

This information has been prepared without taking your objectives, needs and overall financial situation into account. It is not meant to be a substitute for professional financial advice. For this reason, you should consider the appropriateness of the information and, if necessary, seek appropriate professional advice.