Forest Hill suburb profile
Forest Hill is a well-established suburb located 18km east of Melbourne's CBD, known for its family-friendly atmosphere and leafy surroundings. The suburb offers a mix of residential options, from classic homes to modern townhouses, catering to diverse lifestyles. Forest Hill is home to the popular Forest Hill Chase Shopping Centre, providing a variety of retail, dining, and entertainment options. With numerous parks, schools, and recreational facilities, it is an attractive choice for families and professionals seeking a balanced suburban lifestyle. Its convenient access to public transport and major roads ensures easy connectivity to the city and surrounding areas.
Forest Hill property market performance
Current median dwelling price$968,500Past 3 months
Property growth+9.8%Past 12 months
Forest Hill's property market has experienced notable growth over the past 12 months. House values have increased by 6.1%, with the median house price now at $1.27 million. Meanwhile, unit values have surged by 17.2%, although the current median unit price is not available. This indicates a strong demand for units in the area.
Sales activity has been active, with 36 houses and 9 units sold in the past 12 months. Units are selling faster than houses, with a median of 31 days on the market compared to 39 days for houses, suggesting a quicker turnover in the unit market.
The rental market in Forest Hill has shown moderate changes, with house rents increasing by 6.9% over the last 12 months, while unit rents have remained stable. The average rent for houses is $663, and for units, it is $535, reflecting a steady demand for rental properties.
| Houses | Units | |
|---|---|---|
Median price Past 3 months | $1.21M | N/A |
Change in value Past 12 months | 3.6% | 16.0% |
Sold Past 3 months | 40 | 9 |
Median days on market Past 12 months | 41 | 43 |
Average rent Past 12 months | $650 | $540 |
Change in rent Past 12 months | 4.3% | N/A |
5 year median price trend for houses and units
Forest Hill demographics
Forest Hill, located in Melbourne's eastern suburbs, is a family-friendly area known for its leafy streets and community-oriented atmosphere. With a population of 10,780 and a median age of 42, it is a suburb that appeals to both families and older residents seeking a peaceful yet connected lifestyle. The suburb's proximity to shopping centers, parks, and schools makes it an attractive choice for those looking to settle in a well-established community.
The housing landscape in Forest Hill is characterized by a significant proportion of home ownership, with 39.5% of properties owned outright and 33.9% owned with a mortgage. This reflects a stable community with long-term residents who value the security and investment of home ownership. The rental market, comprising 26.6% of properties, offers options for those seeking flexibility, including young families and professionals.
Family life is a central aspect of Forest Hill, with 47.7% of households being couple families with children, and 34.3% being couple families without children. This demographic composition highlights the suburb's appeal to families who appreciate the balance of suburban tranquility and urban convenience. The presence of one-parent families, making up 15.8% of households, adds to the diversity and inclusivity of the community.
Forest Hill infrastructure, key developments and investment opportunities
Forest Hill continues to benefit from its established retail hub at Forest Hill Chase, where ongoing upgrades to dining, entertainment and community spaces are helping to reinforce the suburb’s role as a key activity centre and support steady demand for nearby residential property.[5][8] The suburb sits within the City of Whitehorse, whose planning strategy focuses on moderate residential densification around shopping centres and main roads, which is likely to encourage more townhouse and apartment developments over time and may gradually increase housing supply.[5]
Local schools and parks remain a drawcard, with Forest Hill’s family-friendly character and access to employment centres via nearby major roads and public transport underpinning its appeal to owner-occupiers and renters.[5] At present there are no widely publicised major new transport lines, hospitals or large-scale infrastructure projects specific to Forest Hill beyond incremental upgrades, so any impacts on property values are expected to flow mainly from ongoing retail improvements, infill development and broader metropolitan growth trends.[5]
Forest Hill rental market trends
The rental market in Forest Hill has experienced moderate growth, with house rents increasing by 6.9% over the past year to $663 per week, while unit rents have remained stable at $535 per week. This stability in unit rents, combined with the rise in house rents, highlights Forest Hill as a balanced market for both renters and investors seeking steady returns in a well-established suburb.
Suburbs near Forest Hill
Some popular suburbs near Forest Hill include:
How does Forest Hill compare to nearby suburbs?
- Median house prices: Forest Hill’s median house price is 11.5% higher than Nunawading’s.
- Median unit prices: Forest Hill’s median unit price is 17.1% higher than Burwood East’s.
- House price growth: Over the past 12 months, house prices in Forest Hill have grown 0.6% higher than in Blackburn South.
- Unit price growth: Over the past 12 months, unit prices in Forest Hill have grown 1.5% higher than in Blackburn South.
- Selling speed for houses: Properties in Forest Hill are selling 16.3% faster than in Blackburn South.
- Selling speed for units: Properties in nearby Blackburn South are selling 32.6% faster than in Forest Hill.
- Investment considerations: In Forest Hill, the rental yield for house is 3.2% higher than the Melbourne average, while the rental yield for units is 7.8% lower.
- House price growth: Over the past 12 months, house prices in Forest Hill have grown 19.2% higher than the average rate of growth across Melbourne.
- Unit price growth:Over the past 12 months, unit prices in Forest Hill have grown 32.1% higher than the average rate of growth for units across Melbourne.

