Brunswick East
Suburb profile, market snapshot and recent listings for Brunswick East, VIC 3057.
About Brunswick East
Welcome to Brunswick East
Brunswick East sits about 6 kilometres north of Melbourne's CBD, tucked between Brunswick proper and the leafy academic edges of Parkville, Princes Hill and Carlton North. It's a suburb that has kept much of its working-class, industrial-terrace character while absorbing a steady wave of young professionals, creatives and families drawn to its cafes, converted warehouses and easy tram access into the city.
With a median age of 33 and a population of 13,279, Brunswick East reads as a suburb in the thick of its prime working and renting years — think share-house veterans upgrading to their first apartment, and young families weighing up a period house within stroller distance of Lygon Street's northern reaches. It suits anyone who wants inner-city convenience without inner-city prices, and who doesn't mind a bit of grit alongside the good coffee.
Lifestyle & dining
Brunswick East's food and coffee scene punches well above its size, with a concentration of small bars, bakeries and restaurants along Lygon Street's northern stretch and around Nicholson Street. The suburb shares a border with Fitzroy North, so residents easily drift between the two for brunch spots, wine bars and the kind of independent retail that doesn't bother with shopfront signage.
The pace here is unhurried compared to the CBD but busier than the leafier pockets of Princes Hill next door. Weekends tend to revolve around local cafes, the Merri Creek trail, and the short tram or bike trip into Brunswick's Sydney Road strip for markets, live music and bigger-night-out venues.
Getting around
Public transport is one of Brunswick East's strongest selling points. Tram routes run along both Nicholson Street and Lygon Street, giving direct access into the CBD in well under half an hour, while regular bus services connect to neighbouring Brunswick, Carlton North and Parkville. The suburb is flat and well-suited to cycling, with direct links to the Merri Creek and Capital City trails for commuters heading south or east.
For those who drive, Brunswick East's position just off Nicholson Street and Lygon Street means quick access to the inner north's arterial roads, though parking in the tighter residential streets can be competitive, particularly near the shopping strips.
Schools & families
Families are well catered for locally, with Brunswick East Primary School and Brunswick South Primary School both serving the area, alongside the Catholic option of Our Lady Help of Christians School. The suburb's proximity to Princes Hill and Carlton North also opens up access to some well-regarded secondary options in those neighbouring pockets.
While Brunswick East doesn't have the wide backyards of outer suburbs, its parks, playgrounds and walkable streets make it workable for young families, particularly those upgrading from an apartment into a townhouse or period house as their needs grow.
Housing & architecture
The streetscape is a mix of Victorian and Edwardian workers' cottages, double-fronted brick terraces, and a growing number of low-rise apartment developments and converted warehouses. Current listings skew heavily toward apartments and units, which make up 62% of the market, against 26% houses and 12% townhouses — a reflection of ongoing medium-density development alongside the suburb's original housing stock.
This mix gives buyers genuine choice: a renovated Victorian terrace for those wanting period charm, or a newer apartment for those prioritising low maintenance and lock-up-and-leave convenience.
The property market
Brunswick East's median house price currently sits at $1.34 million, having recorded growth of 3.3% recently — a solid result for an inner-north suburb where land is scarce and demand from families and downsizers remains steady. Units and apartments offer a considerably more accessible entry point, with a median of $586,000, making them the more common transaction given they account for the majority of current listings.
Renters face a median asking rent of $950 per week, underscoring the suburb's popularity with tenants who want inner-city lifestyle perks without the CBD price tag. Given its tightly held housing stock and tram-line convenience, Brunswick East continues to attract buyers priced out of neighbouring Carlton North and Princes Hill while still wanting that inner-north postcode.
Market snapshot
Brunswick East property market
Median sale price
$1.34m
House · 3 bed
Median rent
$950
per week
Gross rental yield
3.7%
annual rent ÷ sale price
Typical price range
Entry
$950k
Median
$1.34m
Premium
$2.35m
Days on market
38
Auction clearance
66%
Sold this year
82
Median sold price trend · House 3 bed
Compound growth +0.2% / yr over 4 yrs
Median price by bedrooms · House
Property types on market
Share of current listings in Brunswick East by dwelling type.
Who lives here
Demographics
ABS Census 2021 figures for Brunswick East, VIC 3057.
Population
13,279
residents (2021)
Median age
33
years
Household income
$2,088
median, per week
Median rent
$421
per week
Median mortgage
$2,000
per month
Mortgage / income
22%
comfortable
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Census of Population and Housing 2021. Suburb-level (SAL) aggregates.
Education
Schools in Brunswick East
Government school catchment
Independent & Catholic schools
Recent results
Recently sold in Brunswick East
$1m
184 Nicholson Street
Sold ~July 2026
$461k
340/22 Barkly Street
Sold ~July 2026
$1.57m
80 Barkly Street
Sold ~July 2026
$395k
201/94 Nicholson Street
Sold ~July 2026
$759k
2009/178 Edward Street
Sold ~July 2026
$540k
101/1 Brunswick Road
Sold ~July 2026
$420k
13/98 Nicholson Street
Sold ~July 2026
$1.30m
14 Nunan Street
Sold ~July 2026
Sold prices as published on the original listing; some may reflect the last advertised price. Dates are approximate.
Explore the area
Properties & amenities in Brunswick East
Compare the area
Price map around Brunswick East
Every listing for sale near Brunswick East, coloured by price — so you can see how it stacks up against the streets and suburbs next door.
Loading price map…
Nearby suburbs
Quick switch to nearby areas
Common questions
Brunswick East suburb FAQ
What is the median property price in Brunswick East?
The median unit price in Brunswick East, VIC is $586k for a 2-bedroom home. Over the past year, median sold prices have fallen about 0.7%.
How much is rent in Brunswick East?
The median weekly rent in Brunswick East is around $650 per week.
Is Brunswick East a good place to live?
Brunswick East is an inner-city suburb in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 5 km (3.1 mi) north of Melbourne's Central Business District, located within the City of Merri-bek local government area. Brunswick East is an established residential suburb in VIC, with a population of around 13,279 and 3 schools in the area.
What is the population of Brunswick East?
Brunswick East has a population of 13,279 (ABS 2021 Census), with a median age of 33.
What schools are in Brunswick East?
There are 3 schools in or near Brunswick East, including Brunswick East Primary School, Brunswick South Primary School and Our Lady Help of Christians School.
How long do homes take to sell in Brunswick East?
Properties in Brunswick East take around 31 days to sell on average, with an auction clearance rate of about 55%.
How much do you need to buy in Brunswick East?
Entry-level properties in Brunswick East start around $420k, while premium homes reach $870k.
What suburbs are near Brunswick East?
Suburbs near Brunswick East include Princes Hill, Carlton North, Parkville, Brunswick and Fitzroy North.
Fresh to market
New this week in Brunswick East
Art deco charm in a premier lifestyle pocket
Premier lifestyle pocket
Expressions of Interest Closing Tuesday 4 August at 5pm
Available now