Carlton, VIC 3053
Inner-Melbourne convenience with a character all its own.
- Cafe & university life
- 365/wk Median
- 72.3% Renters
Carlton Rental Market Statistics
- Population
- 16.7k
- Median age
- 27
- Median weekly rent
- 365
- To the CBD
- 1.5km
- Walkability
- 8.5
- Schools within 3 km
- 9
ABS 2021 Census
Carlton Neighbourhood & Lifestyle
Cafés & Dining
Three of the current rental listings in Carlton lead with Lygon Street's café and restaurant strip as the main drawcard — it's consistently the first thing agents mention, not an afterthought.
University & Student Life
With the University of Melbourne on its doorstep (one listing cites a 5-minute walk) and 72.3% of residents renting — the highest of any suburb in this pilot — Carlton runs on a steady cycle of student tenancies.
SIGNATURE SPOTLIGHT
Lygon Street & Little Italy
Carlton is built around Lygon Street — Melbourne's original "Little Italy" strip of cafés, trattorias and gelaterias that's anchored the suburb's identity for decades. Rental listings in the area consistently lead with the same pitch: moments from Lygon St shopping, cafés and restaurants, in what one listing calls Carlton's "renowned café, dining and cultural precinct."
Around Carlton
Lygon Street
The suburb's main strip — a dense run of Italian restaurants, cafés and gelato bars that gives Carlton its long-standing "Little Italy" identity. Multiple current rental listings use proximity to Lygon St as their lead selling point.
University of Melbourne precinct
Carlton sits directly against the University of Melbourne campus — one listing advertises a 5-minute walk to the university, State Library and CBD shopping.
Available Rental Properties in Carlton
Listing data is temporarily unavailable for Carlton / We're working on it — in the meantime, set up an alert and we'll notify you as soon as it's back.
Frequently Asked Questions about Renting in Carlton
Real questions renters ask before moving to Carlton.
Is Carlton a good suburb for renters?
Yes — Carlton has the highest renter rate of any suburb in this guide at 72.3%, according to the 2021 ABS Census.
How much does it cost to rent in Carlton?
The 2021 ABS Census recorded a median weekly rent of $365 in Carlton, but current listings run well above that: a one-bedroom apartment near Lygon St and Swanston St was recently listed at $500/week, and a two-bedroom terrace at $750/week. The gap reflects rent growth since the 2021 Census rather than a data error — treat the Census figure as a historical baseline, not today's asking price.
What's it like living near the University of Melbourne in Carlton?
Very convenient — one current listing advertises a 5-minute walk to the University of Melbourne, the State Library and CBD shopping. The suburb's rental market is structured around this proximity, with large student-focused property managers operating across many buildings in the area.
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