Moving to Highett — Practical Guide 2026

Highett sits in Melbourne’s bayside — a suburb that runs creative, walkable, authentic. Here’s what the numbers and the locals actually say about the property and rental situation.

Rental Prices — Highett 2026

Rents in Highett have held relatively steady compared to 2025. The vacancy rate sits at 1.8%, which is tight — expect competition for good properties.

Property Prices

Gross rental yield: 4.8% (units tend to yield higher than houses in Highett).

Who Lives Here

Highett attracts mostly families with some younger renters. The suburb is known for Highett local shops, community feel, suburban lifestyle.

Average resident profile:

• Age: Predominantly 30-45
• Household: Young professionals and sharehouse groups
• Income: Below metro average

Renting Tips for Highett

1. Apply fast. Good properties in Highett get 20-40 applications. Have your documents ready: 100 points of ID, recent payslips, rental history, references.

2. Inspect in person. Photos lie. Check water pressure, phone reception, natural light at the time of day you’d actually be home. Open the cupboards. Flush the toilet.

3. Look beyond Lygon Grove. The main strip commands 10-15% higher rents. One or two blocks back, you get the same proximity for less money.

4. Know your rights. Victorian tenancy law caps rent increases to once per 12 months. Your landlord must give 60 days notice. Urgent repairs must be addressed within 24 hours (blocked toilet, no hot water, gas leak).

5. Budget beyond rent. Factor in: utilities ($150-250/month), internet ($70-90/month), contents insurance ($15-25/month), and transport (Public transport options in Highett).

Investment Outlook

Highett is a mature market — don’t expect explosive growth, but it’s stable and liquid. The 4.8% gross yield is above the metro average.

Key factors:

• Transport: Public transport options in Highett
• Schools: Good public school zone
• Infrastructure: Shopping centre expansion in planning phase

Suburb Character & Lifestyle

Highett runs creative, walkable, authentic. The main commercial strip along Lygon Grove is where most of the daily life happens — cafes, restaurants, and essential services within walking distance for those who live close. The neighbourhood is known for Highett local shops, community feel, suburban lifestyle, which drives both rental demand and property values.

The housing stock is largely character homes on established streets with some newer townhouse developments. For renters, the most common options are rooms in shared Victorian terraces. For buyers, the entry point is typically a 1-bedroom apartment for investors at the lower end of the market.

Transport reality: Public transport options in Highett. The commute to the CBD is realistic for daily workers, and most residents report using a combination of public transport, cycling, and driving depending on the trip.

Cost of Living Snapshot

The Bigger Picture

Highett has seen consistent demand from owner-occupiers and investors alike, driven by lifestyle amenity and transport links. The suburb is creative, walkable, authentic, which attracts families seeking quality schools and green space.

5-year outlook: Above-average growth potential due to demand-supply imbalance. The fundamentals — location, transport, lifestyle amenity — are improving.

What to watch: New cycling infrastructure — check council planning portal for details.

Nearby

• Sandringham Property
• Highett Cost of Living
• Highett Things to Do
• Compare Suburbs
• All Highett Guides

Last updated: March 2026. Data sources: Domain, REA Group, SQM Research.

Keep Exploring

More in this area:

• Rent Guide in Highett
• Honest Guide in Highett
• Transport Guide in Highett
• Cost Of Living in Highett

Useful tools:

• Melbourne Property Guide
• Find Your Perfect Melbourne Suburb
• Explore Highett