Caulfield Short-Term Rental (Airbnb) Market
Caulfield VIC Investment Analysis
SUBURB INVESTMENT BRIEF — Caulfield, VIC 3162 LGA: Glen Eira Generated: 2026-04-11 | Estait AI Analysis
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Overall Score: 70/100 — Buy
Caulfield rates as "Buy" due to balanced market fundamentals.
Caulfield sits in a growth phase of the property cycle with an overall investment score of 70 out of 100. This assessment reflects the suburb's growth trajectory, rental market health, economic resilience, and infrastructure positioning within the VIC market.
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MARKET POSITION
Median house price: $2,200,000 Median unit price: $680,000 Median weekly rent: $688/week Days on market: 35 days (stable)
Caulfield commands a premium position in the VIC property landscape. Properties are spending an average of 35 days on market, suggesting balanced supply-demand dynamics.
Comparable suburbs: - Fitzroy North (VIC): Median $1,885,000, yield 0.0%, 1yr growth 0.0% - Garden City (VIC): Median $1,798,300, yield 0.0%, 1yr growth 0.0% - Glen Huntly (VIC): Median $1,735,500, yield 0.0%, 1yr growth 0.0%
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RENTAL MARKET
Gross rental yield: 1.6% Net rental yield: 0.1% Vacancy rate: 2.0% (stable) Rental demand: High
The rental market in Caulfield is characterised by high demand with a vacancy rate of 2.0%, which is near the national average of approximately 2.5%. Vacancy is trending stable, maintaining steady conditions.
Short-term rental data indicates a median nightly rate of $195 with an estimated occupancy of 68%. This translates to an estimated annual STR revenue of $48,399 before expenses. This represents a 35% premium over estimated long-term rental income of $35,776/year, though STR comes with higher management costs and regulatory risk.
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GROWTH OUTLOOK
Population growth (5yr): 1.0% Price CAGR (5yr): 2.4% Capital growth (3yr forecast): 2.7% Supply pipeline: Moderate
Development activity consistent with long-term averages
Infrastructure & transport: - No major infrastructure projects identified. Transport: Well-connected inner-city location
If Caulfield maintains 3%+ annual growth and vacancy stays below 1.4%, median prices could reach $2,530,000 within 3 years with yields compressing slightly as capital values rise.
At current trajectory (1.0% growth, 2.0% vacancy, 1.6% yield), Caulfield offers steady returns with moderate capital appreciation in line with broader market trends.
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RISK ASSESSMENT
Market cycle position: Growth Vacancy risk: Moderate
Key risks: - Premium price point limits buyer pool and increases interest rate sensitivity
Interest rate sensitivity (est. monthly repayment on median house price, 80% LVR): - At 7%: $11,709/month - At 8%: $12,914/month - At 9%: $14,161/month
A market correction or interest rate shock could see prices in Caulfield pull back 10-15% from $2,200,000, with vacancy rising to 3.6% and rental yields softening as tenants gain leverage.
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LIVEABILITY
Affluence rating: Very High Safety score: 7.2/10 Walkability: 80/100 Owner-occupied: 35%
Schools: - Caulfield Public School (primary): Rating 7.0/10 - Caulfield Primary School (primary): Rating 6.6/10 - Caulfield High School (secondary): Rating 6.8/10
Caulfield is a highly sought-after residential area with good safety ratings and strong walkability. The 35% owner-occupier rate indicates a predominantly rental market.
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RECOMMENDATION — BUY
Caulfield presents a compelling investment opportunity. The combination of solid fundamentals and high rental demand supports entry at current price levels.
Conditions: Proceed with due diligence on specific properties. Target gross yields above 1.6% and prioritise properties with value-add potential. Consider timing entry around the current growth phase of the market cycle.
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KEY ACTION ITEMS
1. Shortlist properties in the $1,980,000 - 2,420,000 range for deeper analysis 2. Verify current vacancy and rental rates with local property managers 3. Assess STR regulatory environment with local council 4. Model cash flow at 7%+ interest rates before committing 5. Engage a buyer's agent with Caulfield market expertise for off-market opportunities
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Disclaimer: This analysis is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, or investment advice. Seek professional advice before making investment decisions.
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Analyse a Property →Data sourced from ABS, state government property sales, and Airbnb market analytics. For informational purposes only — not financial advice.