Get a property report and suburb profile for any property in West Footscray

West Footscray is an inner-west Melbourne pocket with a working-class past that has softened into a mixed residential area beside Footscray and the Maribyrnong River. It is anchored by a local train station and a modest commercial strip, and its streets mix weatherboard cottages and Victorian terraces with converted warehouses and newer apartments. A diverse community of long-term residents and younger households values the local cafés, small shops and easy rail access, while nearby green spaces and riverside trails give weekend recreation close at hand.

The suburb is home to about 11,729 people with a median age of 35, and families are dominated by couple households. Homes are more often owner-occupied than rented, which adds to an established feel. Major transport upgrades are planned through the area and council plans significant upgrades to RecWest and local reserves, while planning guidance signals scope for taller buildings along parts of Barkly Street and a larger opportunity site nearby. Whether West Footscray suits you will depend on what you want from a close-in, changing neighbourhood.

Housing costs in West Footscray sit differently depending on whether you’re buying or renting. Against a typical local household income of $1,989 a week at the last Census, the median house price of $930,000 is about 9.0 times a typical local annual household income at the last Census, which is well above local incomes. The median unit price of $475,000 is about 4.6 times a local year's household income at the last Census, which is somewhat above local incomes.

Looking at rents, an average house rent of $620 a week would take about 31% of a typical local household's weekly income at the last Census (a sizeable share), while an average unit rent of $440 a week is about 22% of that income (a moderate share). On these figures, buying a house is the more stretched option against local incomes, while renting—especially a unit—looks relatively more manageable; whether that feels expensive depends on your own circumstances.

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

House values in West Footscray climbed 15.3% over the past 12 months, a strong rise in what houses here are worth. Unit values moved only marginally, up 0.2%, so the house side has been the stronger performer for capital growth this year.

Unit rents rose 2.8% over the year, a modest increase, which means rental income for units grew faster than their price did. Which of those outcomes matters most depends on whether you are prioritising capital growth or rental income and your own circumstances.

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.