Get a property report and suburb profile for any property in Eltham

Eltham has a leafy, north-eastern village character set against extensive bushland and river valleys. Its compact shopping strip and café scene sit alongside an established arts presence at Montsalvat, while community markets and galleries contribute to a creative, small-town feel. Many streets are shaded by mature eucalypts and walking and cycling trails follow creeks and parkland. Housing ranges from weatherboard cottages and post-war brick homes to larger family lots and newer homes that embrace the bush setting, and the community is dominated by families.

Everyday life is supported by the Hurstbridge line, local shops, parks and schools, and recent public open-space upgrades and the Eltham Gateway precinct have added new facilities, plantings and paths. A site has been secured for an Eltham area Community Hospital with Austin Health named as operator, and town-centre planning work continues. Owners occupy about 87.9% of homes while renters make up 12.2%.

Housing in Eltham sits above what local households reported earning at the last Census. A house rent of $750 a week would take about 31.4% of a typical local household's weekly income at the last Census, a sizeable share, while a unit rent of $570 a week would take about 23.8%, a moderate share. On the buying side, the median house price of $1,251,000 is about 10.1 times a typical local annual household income at the last Census (weekly income × 52), and the median unit price of $780,000 is about 6.3 times that annual income. So buying sits well above local incomes, especially for houses, while renting is comparatively less stretched, particularly for units.

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

Rents have outpaced price gains in Eltham over the past 12 months. House rents jumped 13.6% while house values rose a modest 4.2%. Unit rents increased 9.6% and unit values rose a solid 7.1%, so rental income has risen faster than capital value on both property types this year, with houses showing the largest gap between rent and price movement.

If rental income is your priority, those rent figures are the most relevant. If capital growth matters more, the value figures show modest to solid increases. Whether those past-year movements in Eltham suit your goals and circumstances is for you to weigh up.

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.