Chelsea suburb profile
Chelsea is a picturesque bayside suburb located approximately 30km southeast of Melbourne's CBD, known for its stunning beaches and relaxed coastal lifestyle. With its sandy shores and vibrant foreshore, Chelsea is a popular destination for beachgoers and families seeking a seaside escape. The suburb offers a mix of residential options, from charming beachside cottages to modern apartments, catering to diverse lifestyles. Chelsea's bustling shopping strip, local cafes, and community facilities provide a welcoming atmosphere for residents and visitors alike. Its excellent public transport links and proximity to major roadways make it a convenient yet tranquil place to call home.
Chelsea property market performance
Current median dwelling price$913,750Past 3 months
Property growth+7.4%Past 12 months
Chelsea’s property market has shown positive growth over the past 12 months, with house values increasing by 9.9% and unit values rising by 5.1%. The median house price has averaged $1.25 million, while units have averaged $700,000, indicating a healthy demand for both property types.
Sales activity has been robust, with 23 houses and 35 units sold in the past three months. Units are selling significantly faster than houses, with a median time on market of just 18 days compared to 51 days for houses, suggesting stronger demand in the unit market.
The rental market in Chelsea has remained relatively stable over the last 12 months, with no change in house rents and a modest increase of 3.3% in unit rents, reflecting steady demand for rental properties in the area.
| Houses | Units | |
|---|---|---|
Median price Past 3 months | $1.06M | $765K |
Change in value Past 12 months | 10.4% | 4.4% |
Sold Past 3 months | 18 | 31 |
Median days on market Past 12 months | 37 | 18 |
Average rent Past 12 months | $660 | $530 |
Change in rent Past 12 months | -4.1% | 1.3% |
5 year median price trend for houses and units
Chelsea demographics
Chelsea, a charming suburb located in Melbourne's south-east, offers a serene coastal lifestyle with a strong sense of community. Known for its beautiful beaches and family-friendly environment, Chelsea attracts a diverse range of residents, from young families to retirees. The median age of 41 reflects a mature community that values both the tranquility of suburban life and the convenience of nearby urban amenities.
The suburb's housing landscape is varied, with a significant portion of properties owned outright (29.7%) or with a mortgage (37.6%), indicating a stable and established community. Renting is also a viable option, with 32.7% of properties available for rent, catering to those seeking flexibility or a temporary seaside retreat. The family-oriented nature of Chelsea is evident, with 41.1% of households being couple families with children, complemented by 39.3% of couple families without children, and 17.9% of one-parent families.
Chelsea's appeal lies in its balance of natural beauty and practical living. The suburb's proximity to the beach provides residents with ample recreational opportunities, while local shops, schools, and public transport ensure convenience and connectivity. With a median household income of $1683 per week, Chelsea offers a comfortable lifestyle for its residents, making it an attractive choice for those seeking a peaceful yet connected community.
Chelsea infrastructure, key developments and investment opportunities
Chelsea continues to benefit from its status as a key bayside activity centre within the City of Kingston, with ongoing mixed-use and retail upgrades around the main shopping strip and beach precinct enhancing local amenity and supporting buyer demand. Incremental improvements to foreshore facilities, walking paths and open space, together with nearby lifestyle destinations such as Market 3196 in Chelsea Heights, are reinforcing the area’s appeal to both downsizers and young families by improving leisure options and walkability.
Local schools, including Chelsea Primary School and nearby secondary and specialist campuses, remain an important driver of family interest, with stable education infrastructure underpinning consistent demand for established homes and townhouses.[5] Transport connectivity via the existing train line and arterial roads continues to make Chelsea a convenient commuting base to major employment hubs, which is expected to support long-term property values even in softer market conditions. There are currently no widely publicised major new infrastructure or planning changes specific to Chelsea that are likely to significantly alter the property market in the short term.
Chelsea rental market trends
The rental market in Chelsea has remained stable, with house rents holding steady over the past year at $653 per week, while unit rents have seen a modest increase of 3.3% to $530 per week. This stability, combined with Chelsea's coastal charm and community amenities, makes it an attractive option for renters seeking a balanced lifestyle.
Suburbs near Chelsea
Some popular suburbs near Chelsea include:
How does Chelsea compare to nearby suburbs?
- Median house prices: Chelsea’s median house price is 11.8% higher than Chelsea Heights’s.
- Median unit prices: Chelsea’s median unit price is 13.3% higher than Bonbeach’s.
- House price growth: Over the past 12 months, house prices in Chelsea have grown 1.2% higher than in Bonbeach.
- Unit price growth: Over the past 12 months, unit prices in Chelsea have grown 6.3% higher than in Edithvale.
- Selling speed for houses: Properties in Chelsea are selling 11.9% faster than in Bonbeach.
- Selling speed for units: Properties in Chelsea are selling 47.1% faster than in Edithvale.
- Investment considerations: In Chelsea, the rental yield for house is 4.8% higher than the Melbourne average, while the rental yield for units is 9.6% lower.
- House price growth: Over the past 12 months, house prices in Chelsea have grown 8.6% higher than the average rate of growth across Melbourne.
- Unit price growth:Over the past 12 months, unit prices in Chelsea have grown 18.1% higher than the average rate of growth for units across Melbourne.

