The 10 safest suburbs in Melbourne (2023)

2023 is coming and whether you are looking for itBuy your next investment property, new home or even applying for a new rental, it is important to find out how safe the area is as part of your local research.

Is Melbourne a safe place to live?

According to the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU)Safe-Cities-Index 2021Melbourne is the 8th safest city in the world (up from 10th last year).

Melbourne ranked 8th for world digital security, 4th for health security, 15th with Madrid for infrastructure security, 18th for personal security and 25th for environmental security.

But the results aren't all that surprising, even amid the Covid-19 pandemic and ongoing lockdowns and economic turmoil - after all, Melbourne also ranks high among themost livable cities in the worldand also theBest city in the world to work from home.

Melbourne's top 5 regions (the percentage of suburbs with below average risk) are the Far East (29%), the North East (23%), the North West (14%), the South East (14%) and the West (7%).

But where are the safest suburbs in Melbourne?

Here we've broken it down.

10 Melbourne suburbs with the lowest crime rates

Using the latest data from the Crime Statistics Agency, here is a list of the 10 Melbourne suburbs with the lowest number of crime incidents per inhabitant in the year to June 2022.

Criminal incidents are any offenses against an individual (e.g. assault and robbery), property and deception offenses (e.g. damage to property and theft), drug-related offenses and violations of public order and safety (e.g. disorderly conduct and public Harassment).

Melbourne's The Patch had the lowest number of recorded crime incidents by population for this period. But to be fair - The Patch only has a population of around 1,046.

Interestingly, apart from Black Rock and Beaumaris, which are south of Melbourne's CBD, all of the "safe suburbs" identified by Canstar were to the east of Melbourne.

They are also relatively sparsely populated suburbs compared to more central areas.

Here are the 10 safest suburbs in Melbourne

1.The Patch (3792)

Number of incidents recorded in FY 2021/22: 13
Population: 1,046

The Patch is a very small Melbourne suburb located 39km east of the CBD in the Shire of Yarra Ranges consisting of only houses, a community hall, a general store, a primary school, several commercial nurseries and a tennis court.

According to Domain, the suburb has a population of approximately 1,046 residents, mostly older couples and families with an average age of 40 to 59, and approximately 90% of the properties are owner-occupied.

2.Park orchards (3114)

Number of incidents recorded in FY 2021/22: 69
Population: 3,835

Park Orchards is a leafy, leafy suburb about 14 miles northeast of Melbourne's CBD with a population of approximately 3,835, the majority of whom are families.

It's a desirable suburb, not only for its low crime rate, but also for its expansive parklands and schools.

And that's reflected in the property prices -- Park Orchards' median home price is an impressive $1.8 million and is 97% owner-occupier.

3.Ferny Creek (3786)

Number of incidents recorded in FY 2021/22: 17
Population: 1,524

About 33 km southeast of the CBD in the Shire of Yarra Ranges is Ferny Creek with 1,524 residents, mostly 40 to 59 year old couples and families and 92% owner occupiers.

Known for its peaceful parks and recreational areas, the suburb is considered a haven from normal city life.

4.Selby (3159)

Number of incidents recorded in FY 2021/22: 22
Population: 1,626

Another Melbourne suburb dominated by older couples and families aged around 40 to 59 is the small, safe suburb of Selby, 37km east of the CBD, also in the shire of the Yarra Ranges.

The tiny 1,626 residents are mostly owner occupiers (94%) of the local real estate, which has a median price of $825,000.

5.Expensive (3791)

Number of incidents recorded in FY 2021/22: 20
Population: 1,418

Kallista is another small suburb of the Yarra Ranges some 36km south-east of the CBD.

The suburb, along with others in the immediate vicinity, is known for being leafy and secluded, with an abundance of historic and luxury homes and gardens.

The median property price of $1.055 million has drawn the attention of older couples and families looking for a retreat away from busy city life.

6.Warranty (3113)

Number of incidents recorded in FY 2021/22: 90
Population: 5,541

Warrandyte is a high-demand real estate market with an average price of $1.42 million and a population made up mostly of older couples and families.

The quiet and safe Melbourne suburb of Warrandyte is situated 15 miles northeast of Melbourne's CBD on the Yarra River and is surrounded by bushland.

It has a population of 5,541 and a median age of 43 years.

7.Montmorency (3094)

Number of incidents recorded in FY 2021/22: 144
Population: 9,416

Located approximately 11 miles northeast of the CBD, Montmorency is known for being one of the city's most affordable suburbs, offering the perfect combination of lifestyle and affordability.

According to realestate.com.au, the median home price for homes in Montmorency is $1.2 million for homes and $881,000 for units.

Based on five years of sales, Montmorency has seen a compound growth rate of 5.1% for homes and 4.9% for units.

8.Donvale (3111)

Number of incidents recorded in FY 2021/22: 158
Population: 13,066

Donvale is a suburb of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 20km east of Melbourne's CBD with a sizeable population of 13,066.

It is a safe and quiet suburb with sought after tree lined streets, very impressive sports and recreational facilities as well as excellent schools and access to public transport.

The median real estate price is $1.6 million for homes and $865,000 for units, representing average growth rates of 5.5% and 4.6%, respectively.

9.Sassafras (3787)

Number of incidents recorded in FY 2021/22:17
Population: 970

A little further out - 43km from the CBD - the quaint village of Sassafras in the bushy and scenic Dandenong Ranges has a small population of 970 mostly 40-59 year olds.

The median home price is $1.061 million, but a tight supply and high-demand market means little other data is available.

10.Schwarzfels, Beaumaris (3193)

Number of incidents recorded in FY 2021/22: 123
Population: 6,389

Located in the city's affluent Bayside area, 11 miles south of the CBD, Black Rock is famous for some of the city's best beaches, excellent schools and quality local amenities.

Unsurprisingly, property prices are at the higher end of the scale.

Average home prices in Black Rock are $2.63 million and around $1.21 million for units.

Investment grade real estate is key

These suburbs have all been rated as "low risk" when it comes to crime statistics, but that doesn't necessarily mean that real estate in these locations automatically represents a strong investment prospect.

There are more than 10.5 million homes in Australia and they are not all built the same.

In fact, in my opinion, less than 4% of the properties on the market are what I would call "investment grade" at any given time.

We've written many articles over time and voiced many podcasts to share what I consider investment grade property (moreHereAndHere, if you want to explore), so I won't go into the characteristics of a great investment or the types of properties that fit those criteria.

Instead, I encourage you to consider:

• What your investment goals are
• Why do you want to invest in real estate?
• And how real estate can help you achieve your goals?

Your real estate journey could include a Melbourne based property. There could be two involved. It can even contain 10!

Or it might not contain one.

The investment strategy that suits you is individual and is based on your individual risk profile, your income, expenses and goals.

Taking all of this into account to determine your "goal" is key, because once you know what you're aiming for, it becomes much easier to plan out the steps you need to take to get there.