What each type of home costs
| Home | Median rent | On $60k | On $80k | On $100k | Salary for rent under 30% of pay |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All homes | $595 | 62% | 48% | 40% | $104,000 |
| 1-bedroom unit | $485 | 50% | 40% | 33% | $85,000 |
| 2-bedroom unit | $580 | 60% | 47% | 39% | $101,000 |
| 3-bedroom house | $680 | 70% | 55% | 46% | $118,000 |
A common guide is that rent above 30% of your gross income is "rental stress". In Merri-bek, keeping the median rent under that line takes a salary of about $104,000, or a combined household income of that much if you rent with someone.
Nearby areas in Greater Melbourne
| Area | Median rent | On $80k |
|---|---|---|
| Casey | $595 | 48% |
| Darebin | $590 | 48% |
| Hobsons Bay | $590 | 48% |
| Nillumbik | $600 | 49% |
| Maroondah | $600 | 49% |
| Frankston | $590 | 48% |
| Maribyrnong | $585 | 48% |
| Banyule | $580 | 47% |
| Moonee Valley | $575 | 47% |
| Cardinia | $575 | 47% |
Cheaper nearby: Darebin ($590), Hobsons Bay ($590), Frankston ($590).
Based on 1,434 new leases in Merri-bek in the June quarter 2026.
See your full take-home pay with the pay calculator, or compare rents across Victoria and NSW.
Rent data: Homes Victoria, Rental Report: quarterly median rents by local government area (June quarter 2026), CC BY 4.0 (DataVic), Homes Victoria (source). Median weekly rent for new leases. Take-home pay is our calculation with the ATO's 2026–27 withholding formulas.