James Nelis
Grovedale, VIC+18
Melbourne · Northern Suburbs
Brunswick is Melbourne's creative heartland, a vibrant, multicultural hub just 5km north of the CBD. Known for its bohemian culture, the suburb buzzes with a strong arts and live music scene, street art-adorned laneways, and a progressive community. Its character is a lively mix of historic Victorian terraces and modern apartments, attracting a diverse crowd of young professionals, creatives, students, and families.
Market snapshot
Price register · May 2026
Median house
$1.10M - $1.50M
Mid-band $1.3Mspread 31%
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Median unit
$525,000 - $700,000
Mid-band $613Kspread 29%
Days on market
~23-53 days
Median listing-to-sold window. Shorter = tighter buyer field.
Auction clearance
70% to 80%
Share of auctions sold. Brisbane skews private-treaty.
Rental yield
2.9% to 3.9%
Gross yield on house stock. Premium suburbs compress.
5-year house-price growth
+4% to +24%
cumulative since 2021Who buys here
Young professionals · Creatives and artists · Students
5-year trend
Modelled trajectory anchored on aggregated 5-year median figures. Indicative; not month-by-month observed data.
Market analysis
The Brunswick property market is characterised by strong demand and a diverse housing landscape, blending period homes with high-density apartment living. As of May 2026, the median house price sits at approximately $1.30 million, showing a compound annual growth of 3.2%. The unit market is also robust, with a median price of $608,000 and a stronger annual growth rate of 6.1%, reflecting high demand from first home buyers, students, and young professionals drawn to the area's accessibility and vibrant lifestyle.
Supply dynamics in Brunswick are tight, particularly for traditional Victorian and Edwardian houses, which are highly sought after and tightly held, as indicated by an average hold period of nearly 12 years. This scarcity of character homes continues to fuel price resilience. While new apartment developments have increased housing stock, demand remains high, evidenced by units spending fewer days on market (around 29 days) compared to houses (around 38-40 days). The rental market is exceptionally strong, with a low vacancy rate of just 0.73% and rental yields for houses at a healthy 3.4%. This intense rental demand underpins the suburb's investment appeal, although high entry prices and stretched affordability are key considerations for new investors.
Recent infrastructure developments and planning are set to further enhance Brunswick's appeal. The Victorian Government has announced planning for level-access tram stops along the bustling Sydney Road, which will improve accessibility on a key transport artery. This, combined with the suburb's proximity to the University of Melbourne and RMIT, ensures a consistent pool of tenants and buyers. The market's trajectory is one of steady, long-term appreciation, driven by its desirable inner-north location, cultural capital, and constrained supply of family-sized homes. While the high renter-to-owner ratio and affordability pressures present challenges, the suburb's strong socio-economic profile and ongoing urban renewal provide a solid foundation for future growth.
Brunswick's blend of cultural vibrancy, tight housing supply, and strong rental demand creates a compelling case for long-term investment in one of Melbourne's most dynamic inner-north pockets.
Why a buyers agent
Purchasing property in Brunswick requires navigating a complex and fast-paced market. An experienced buyer's agent offers invaluable local knowledge, helping you differentiate between a renovated gem and a cosmetically disguised money pit. They understand the nuances of value across different micro-pockets, from the quieter streets west of Sydney Road to the more vibrant eastern locales. A local expert can identify properties with genuine long-term value, away from the main-road noise and potential development impacts. Furthermore, they have access to off-market opportunities and can act swiftly in a competitive environment where desirable homes are sold quickly, often before they are widely advertised. In a suburb with numerous heritage overlays and varying development zones, an agent's guidance is critical to avoid costly mistakes and secure a quality asset.
From the bustling Sydney Road to its countless cafes, bars, and live music venues, Brunswick offers an unmatched energetic and creative lifestyle. Its multicultural fabric creates a diverse and inclusive community.
With multiple train stations on the Upfield line, a major tram route on Sydney Road, and numerous bus services, commuting to the CBD (only 5km away) and surrounding areas is fast and convenient.
A combination of tight housing supply, high tenant demand from students and professionals, and a very low rental vacancy rate makes Brunswick a compelling suburb for long-term property investment.
Despite its inner-city location, Brunswick offers ample green space with numerous local parks and easy access to the large Royal Park, Princes Park, and the Merri Creek trail for recreation.
Compare
| Metric | This suburbBrunswick | NearbyCoburg |
|---|---|---|
| Median house | $1.10M - $1.50M | $1.05M - $1.40M |
| Median unit | $525,000 - $700,000 | $500,000 - $700,000 |
| Auction clearance | 70% to 80% | 75% to 85% |
| Days on market | ~23-53 days | ~19-45 days |
| Year-on-year growth | -2% to +8% | +1% to +11% |
| 5-year growth | +4% to +24% | +14% to +34% |
| Rental yield | 2.9% to 3.9% | 2.8% to 3.8% |
| Postcode | 3056 | 3058 |
Snapshot date varies by suburb; see individual suburb pages for figures.
The place
Located just 5 kilometres north of Melbourne's CBD, Brunswick is a suburb defined by its bohemian energy, multicultural heritage, and creative spirit. The main artery, Sydney Road, is one of Melbourne's most eclectic and longest shopping strips, offering a vibrant mix of Lebanese bakeries, independent boutiques, live music venues, and global eateries. This cultural mosaic is a legacy of the Greek and Italian communities who shaped the suburb, now blended with a younger demographic of students, artists, and professionals.
Education is well-catered for with several schools, including Brunswick Secondary College, Brunswick North Primary School, and Brunswick South Primary School. The suburb's proximity to the University of Melbourne and RMIT also makes it a popular student hub.
Transport is a key drawcard, with excellent connectivity to the city. The Upfield train line services the area with Jewell, Brunswick, and Anstey stations, while the number 19 tram runs frequently along Sydney Road. Multiple bus routes, including the 503, 504, and 508, provide extensive cross-suburb links. For recreation, residents enjoy numerous 'pocket parks' like Temple Park and Warr Park, and have easy access to the larger Royal Park and Princes Park on its southern border, as well as the Merri Creek and Moonee Ponds Creek trails. Shopping is centred around Barkly Square Shopping Centre and the endless array of independent stores along Sydney Road and Lygon Street.
Frequently asked
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The 5-year trajectory is a modelled curve anchored on the documented cumulative growth rate. Editorial review: 13 May 2026. Updated quarterly.
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