South Yarra suburb profile
South Yarra is a prestigious suburb located just 4km southeast of Melbourne's CBD, renowned for its vibrant lifestyle and upscale living. Known for its chic boutiques, trendy cafes, and fine dining options, it attracts a cosmopolitan crowd. The suburb is home to the iconic Chapel Street, a bustling hub of fashion and entertainment, as well as the serene Royal Botanic Gardens. South Yarra offers a mix of historic mansions, modern apartments, and leafy streets, making it a desirable location for professionals and families. Its excellent public transport links and proximity to the city enhance its appeal as a prime residential area.
South Yarra property market performance
Current median dwelling price$1,122,500Past 3 months
Property growth-3.6%Past 12 months
South Yarra's property market has shown stability over the past 12 months, with house values experiencing a slight increase of 0.4% and unit values remaining unchanged. The median house price has averaged $1.91 million, while units have maintained a median price of $520,000, indicating steady demand in the area.
Sales activity has been robust, with 48 houses and 182 units sold in the past 12 months. Properties are moving relatively quickly, with houses spending a median of 39 days on the market and units 36 days, reflecting consistent buyer interest.
In the rental market, house rents have remained stable over the last 12 months, averaging $950 per week, while unit rents have increased by 4.2%, reaching an average of $625 per week, suggesting a stronger demand for rental units in South Yarra.
| Houses | Units | |
|---|---|---|
Median price Past 3 months | $1.75M | $500K |
Change in value Past 12 months | -1.8% | -5.5% |
Sold Past 3 months | 58 | 178 |
Median days on market Past 12 months | 37 | 35 |
Average rent Past 12 months | $950 | $625 |
Change in rent Past 12 months | N/A | 4.2% |
5 year median price trend for houses and units
South Yarra demographics
South Yarra, a prestigious suburb of Melbourne, is renowned for its blend of cosmopolitan living and historical charm. With a population of 25,028 and a median age of 33, it attracts a youthful and vibrant community, including professionals and young families. The suburb's proximity to the city centre, coupled with its array of cafes, boutiques, and cultural venues, makes it a highly sought-after location for those seeking an urban lifestyle with a touch of elegance.
Housing in South Yarra is predominantly rental-based, with 63.5% of properties being rented. This high rental rate underscores its appeal to transient residents, such as students and professionals, who value flexibility and convenience. The suburb's household composition is diverse, with a significant proportion of couple families without children (64.4%), reflecting the area's attraction to young couples and singles who enjoy the vibrant social scene and amenities.
The property market in South Yarra is competitive, with 18.3% of homes owned outright and 18.2% owned with a mortgage. This indicates a stable mix of long-term residents and new buyers entering the market. The suburb's dynamic atmosphere is further enhanced by its excellent public transport links, parks, and recreational facilities, making it an ideal location for those who appreciate a balanced lifestyle that combines work, leisure, and community engagement.
South Yarra infrastructure, key developments and investment opportunities
South Yarra continues to see a high volume of new apartment and townhouse projects, with dozens of off-the-plan and recently completed developments adding to housing supply and reinforcing its status as a premium high-density market.[6][9] This ongoing redevelopment around key precincts near Chapel Street, Toorak Road and the Yarra River is modernising the local skyline, supporting strong buyer and tenant demand, and appealing particularly to investors and professionals seeking low-maintenance living close to the CBD.[3][6]
The suburb benefits from excellent access to public transport, with multiple train, tram and bus options linking residents quickly to the city and surrounding employment hubs, which underpins both rental demand and long-term capital growth.[3][6] Proximity to major lifestyle amenities – including established retail and dining on Chapel Street and Toorak Road, nearby parks such as Fawkner Park and the Royal Botanic Gardens, and the Yarra River corridor – further enhances liveability and supports South Yarra’s position as one of Melbourne’s most sought-after and expensive inner-city suburbs.[3][4][6]
South Yarra rental market trends
The rental market in South Yarra has shown stability, with house rents remaining unchanged at $950 per week over the past year. Meanwhile, unit rents have experienced a modest increase of 4.2%, reaching $625 per week. This suburb continues to attract renters with its vibrant lifestyle and proximity to Melbourne's CBD, making it a desirable location for both residents and investors.
Suburbs near South Yarra
Some popular suburbs near South Yarra include:
How does South Yarra compare to nearby suburbs?
- Median house prices: South Yarra’s median house price is 7.4% higher than Prahran’s.
- Median unit prices: South Yarra’s median unit price is 7.0% higher than Prahran’s.
- House price growth: Over the past 12 months, house prices in South Yarra have grown 1.2% higher than in Prahran.
- Unit price growth: Over the past 12 months, unit prices in South Yarra have grown 4.4% higher than in Melbourne.
- Selling speed for houses: Properties in South Yarra are selling 5.1% faster than in Prahran.
- Selling speed for units: Properties in South Yarra are selling 5.4% faster than in Prahran.
- Investment considerations: In South Yarra, the rental yield for house is 50.8% higher than the Melbourne average, while the rental yield for units is 6.7% higher.
- House price growth: Over the past 12 months, house prices in South Yarra have grown 85.6% higher than the average rate of growth across Melbourne.
- Unit price growth:Over the past 12 months, unit prices in South Yarra have grown 11.6% lower than the average rate of growth for units across Melbourne.

