Kensington suburb profile
Kensington is a vibrant suburb located in Sydney's eastern suburbs, just 6km from the CBD. Known for its proximity to the University of New South Wales, it attracts a diverse mix of students, academics, and professionals. The suburb offers a blend of residential charm and urban convenience, with tree-lined streets, heritage homes, and modern apartments. Kensington is well-served by public transport, providing easy access to the city and surrounding areas. Its local cafes, parks, and sporting facilities, including the iconic Randwick Racecourse, contribute to its appeal as a lively and convenient place to live.
Kensington property market performance
Current median dwelling price$2,318,000Past 3 months
Property growth-9.1%Past 12 months
Kensington’s property market has experienced stable trends over the past 12 months. House values have remained steady, with a median price of $3.69 million, while units have seen a modest increase of 3.2%, reaching a median price of $946,000.
The market activity has seen 13 houses and 40 units sold during this period. Notably, houses are taking longer to sell, with a median of 75 days on the market, whereas units are moving more quickly at 41 days, indicating varied demand levels.
Rental prices have shown slight increases, with house rents rising by 3.7% to $1,400 and unit rents increasing by 3.1% to $820, reflecting a stable rental market in Kensington.
| Houses | Units | |
|---|---|---|
Median price Past 3 months | $3.69M | $946K |
Change in value Past 12 months | -21.4% | 3.2% |
Sold Past 3 months | 13 | 40 |
Median days on market Past 12 months | 75 | 41 |
Average rent Past 12 months | $1400 | $820 |
Change in rent Past 12 months | 3.7% | 3.1% |
5 year median price trend for houses and units
Kensington demographics
Kensington, located in Sydney's Eastern Suburbs, is a vibrant and diverse community known for its proximity to the University of New South Wales and the Royal Randwick Racecourse. With a population of 11,927 and a median age of 32, the suburb attracts a youthful demographic, including students and young professionals who are drawn to its lively atmosphere and convenient access to educational and employment opportunities.
The suburb's housing landscape is characterized by a high rental rate, with 56.1% of properties being rented. This reflects its appeal to those seeking flexible living arrangements, particularly students and transient professionals. Meanwhile, 24.9% of properties are owned outright, and 19.1% are owned with a mortgage, indicating a stable base of long-term residents who appreciate the suburb's blend of urban convenience and suburban charm.
Family dynamics in Kensington are diverse, with 38.5% of families being couples with children and 45.6% being couples without children. This mix contributes to a balanced community atmosphere, where family-oriented amenities coexist with vibrant social and cultural scenes. The presence of one-parent families (12.7%) and other family structures (3.1%) further enriches the suburb's demographic tapestry, making Kensington a dynamic and inclusive place to live.
Kensington infrastructure, key developments and investment opportunities
Kensington continues to benefit from its role as a major education and student hub, anchored by the University of New South Wales and nearby NIDA, with new and recently completed student accommodation such as the Scape buildings in the KEKI (Kensington to Kingsford) precinct adding to local housing density and activating the retail and dining strip along Anzac Parade.[2][7][9] These projects, together with the suburb’s mix of heritage homes and newer apartments, are supporting strong rental demand and underpinning buyer interest from investors, students and university staff.[1][7]
Transport connectivity has been significantly improved by the light rail along Anzac Parade, providing direct links to the CBD and surrounding suburbs and enhancing Kensington’s appeal for commuters.[1][7] Proximity to major amenities such as Randwick Racecourse, Moore Park, nearby beaches and extensive parklands continues to bolster lifestyle appeal, suggesting that demand for well-located properties in Kensington is likely to remain solid over the medium term.[1][4][7]
Kensington rental market trends
The rental market in Kensington shows moderate growth, with house rents increasing 3.7% over the past year to $1,400 per week, while unit rents rose 3.1% to $820 per week. Kensington continues to attract interest from renters and investors alike, owing to its proximity to educational institutions and vibrant local amenities.
Suburbs near Kensington
Some popular suburbs near Kensington include:
How does Kensington compare to nearby suburbs?
- Median house prices: Kensington’s median house price is 38.6% higher than Kingsford’s.
- Median unit prices: Kensington’s median unit price is 17.5% higher than Eastlakes’s.
- House price growth: Property prices in nearby Kingsford have risen 23.9% more than in Kensington over the past year.
- Unit price growth: Over the past 12 months, unit prices in Kensington have grown 3.8% higher than in Zetland.
- Selling speed for houses: Properties in nearby Kingsford are selling 32.0% faster than in Kensington.
- Selling speed for units: Properties in Kensington are selling 22.6% faster than in Kingsford.
- Investment considerations: In Kensington, the rental yield for house is 55.0% higher than the Sydney average, while the rental yield for units is 5.4% higher.
- House price growth: Over the past 12 months, house prices in Kensington have grown 71.3% higher than the average rate of growth across Sydney.
- Unit price growth:Over the past 12 months, unit prices in Kensington have grown 9.9% higher than the average rate of growth for units across Sydney.

