Cheltenham
A 48% jump in median house price within a single year, from $760,000 in Q1 2025 to $1,125,000 in Q1 2026, sets Cheltenham apart from most Adelaide suburbs at a comparable income level. At the 48.4th percentile for household income nationally, that price surge is extraordinary and bears watching. The suburb spans just 1.14 square kilometres with 2,236 residents, giving a density of 1,955 per km2. Housing stock is overwhelmingly detached, with 81.1% separate houses, and 86% of residents stayed at the same address in the year prior to the census, signalling a settled, owner-occupier community rather than a transient one.
Population
2,236
Median Age
44.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,534/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
26
Median House
$1.1M
Median 1Q 2026
The $1,125,000 median house price as of Q1 2026 follows a steep 48% rise from $760,000 in Q1 2025, which compresses the typical affordability window. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,602, producing a mortgage-to-income ratio of 24.1%, below the 30% stress threshold, so buyers who entered before the price surge carry manageable debt. Detached houses make up 81.1% of stock, with semi-detached at 17.6% and apartments at just 1.3%, meaning the market offers genuine suburban depth rather than apartment alternatives. Three-bedroom dwellings account for 50.9% of all homes, four-plus at 19.9%, and two-bedrooms at 27.8%, a spread that suits growing families more than downsizers. Outright owners at 36.7% and mortgage holders at 42.0% together make up nearly 79% of occupiers.
For Buyers
The $1,125,000 median house price as of Q1 2026 follows a steep 48% rise from $760,000 in Q1 2025, which compresses the typical affordability window. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,602, producing a mortgage-to-income ratio of 24.1%, below the 30% stress threshold, so buyers who entered before the price surge carry manageable debt. Detached houses make up 81.1% of stock, with semi-detached at 17.6% and apartments at just 1.3%, meaning the market offers genuine suburban depth rather than apartment alternatives. Three-bedroom dwellings account for 50.9% of all homes, four-plus at 19.9%, and two-bedrooms at 27.8%, a spread that suits growing families more than downsizers. Outright owners at 36.7% and mortgage holders at 42.0% together make up nearly 79% of occupiers.
For Investors
The rental market is relatively thin: only 21.3% of dwellings are rented, compared to higher proportions in most inner-Adelaide suburbs, and weekly rent is $290, a figure that looks modest against the $1,125,000 median. The vacancy rate of 4.9% is elevated, meaning roughly 1 in 20 rental properties sits empty, which limits immediate yield prospects. Development activity is moderate at 24 applications over the past 12 months, with recent approvals centring on ancillary accommodation additions rather than new dwellings, consistent with an owner-occupier suburb adding value through improvement. The rent-to-income ratio of 18.9% is below the 30% stress threshold for tenants, which supports rental stability but also signals that rents have room to grow relative to incomes. The 48% price surge over one year suggests capital growth is the primary investment thesis rather than yield.
Development Activity
Total DAs
99
Last 12 Months
26
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
+116.7%
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Demographics
The median age is 44, which is 4.0 years above the national figure, placing Cheltenham among Adelaide's more mature suburbs. Overseas-born residents account for 20.4%, which is 1.2 points below the national average, and the ancestry profile is primarily Anglo-Celtic: English (777), Irish (210) and Scottish (192) are the three largest groups, alongside a notable Italian contingent (202). University qualifications are held by 34.6% of residents, 4.5 points above the national rate, and average household size is 2.3, marginally below the national figure. Couples with children number 591, while couples without children reach 487, giving the suburb a balanced family composition. The volunteering rate of 13.6% reflects moderate community engagement.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
81.1%
Houses
17.6%
Townhouse
1.3%
Apartment
Tenure
Cheltenham's tenure structure leans firmly toward ownership: 36.7% own outright, 42.0% carry a mortgage, and only 21.3% rent, a split that is more owner-heavy than the national average. The stock is dominated by separate houses at 81.1%, with semi-detached at 17.6% and apartments at just 1.3%, which is far below the apartment share seen in higher-density Adelaide suburbs. Three-bedroom dwellings are the most common at 50.9%, followed by two-bedroom at 27.8% and four-plus at 19.9%. The median rose from $760,000 to $1,125,000 between Q1 2025 and Q1 2026, a 48% increase in a single year. Mortgage repayments average $1,602 per month and the mortgage-to-income ratio of 24.1% remains below the stress threshold, meaning the current owner cohort is not financially stretched despite the price appreciation.
Median House Price Trend
Source: State Valuer-General
Mortgage / mo
$1,602
Rent / wk
$290
HH Size
2.3
Personal Income / wk
$766
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
4.9%
Unoccupied
48
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
18.9%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
24.1%
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
27.9%
Couples, no children
1,746
Total families
Economy & Employment
Healthcare is the dominant industry at 19.4% of local workers (148 people), followed by Education at 11.2% (85), Public Administration at 10.2% (78), Construction at 9.8% (75) and Professional/Technical services at 8.1% (62), a profile weighted toward public-sector and service roles rather than private enterprise. By occupation, Professionals lead at 256, followed by Clerical/Admin at 185, Community/Personal services at 145 and Managers at 131. The full-time employment rate is 63.9%, with 689 full-time and 389 part-time workers. Unemployment sits at 4.9% and the participation rate at 59.0%. The SEIFA IEO decile of 5 places the suburb at average educational and occupational advantage compared with all Australian suburbs, while the IER decile of 2 indicates below-average economic resources, a split that reflects a workforce with reasonable skills but limited capital accumulation.
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
63.9%
Part-time
31.2%
Participation
59.0%
Employed
1,077
Occupations
Top Industries
University
34.6%
Postgraduate
6.9%
Born Overseas
20.4%
Dwellings
917
Transport to Work
Car dependence is high at 85.5% of workers commuting by car, while public transport accounts for 7.5% and walking or cycling for 1.9%, typical for an inner-suburban Adelaide area without heavy rail access. The crime rate of 39.4 incidents per 1,000 residents covers 88 total crimes recorded in the period, and context requires noting that the IRSD decile of 3 places the suburb below average on relative disadvantage nationally, meaning some pockets of socioeconomic pressure exist. The IRSAD decile of 4 confirms a similar reading across combined advantage and disadvantage measures. No schools are recorded within the 1.14 km2 boundary in this dataset, so families access schools in neighbouring suburbs. The mortgage-to-income ratio of 24.1% and rent-to-income of 18.9% both stay below the 30% stress threshold, keeping housing costs manageable for most current residents.
Drive
85.5%
Public Transport
7.5%
Walk / Cycle
1.9%
Work from Home
N/A
Safety & Crime
Total Offences
88
Year ending June 2024
Rate per 1,000 People
39.4
Source: Crime Statistics Agency Victoria / SA Police
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Cheltenham compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cheltenham a good suburb to live in?
Cheltenham offers stable owner-occupier conditions, with 78.7% of residents owning their home and a low residential turnover of 14% annually. Housing costs are manageable, with a mortgage-to-income ratio of 24.1% below the 30% stress threshold. The IRSD decile of 3 signals below-average advantage nationally, so it suits buyers seeking established suburban living at a middle-income level.
What is the median house price in Cheltenham?
The median house price is $1,125,000 as of Q1 2026, up 48% from $760,000 in Q1 2025. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,602, and weekly rent is $290. The household income percentile sits at 48.4, so the price surge has significantly tightened affordability for first-time buyers.
What schools are in Cheltenham?
No schools are recorded within the 1.14 km2 Cheltenham boundary in this dataset. Families rely on schools in neighbouring suburbs. Locally, 34.6% of residents hold university qualifications, which is 4.5 points above the national average, indicating a well-educated adult population despite the absence of schools in the suburb itself.
Is Cheltenham safe?
Cheltenham recorded 88 crimes in the period, giving a rate of 39.4 incidents per 1,000 residents. The IRSD decile of 3 places the suburb below the national median on relative disadvantage, which can correlate with higher crime than more advantaged areas. Prospective residents should review current SA Police crime mapping for the latest suburb-level breakdown.
Is Cheltenham good for property investment?
The 48% price rise from $760,000 to $1,125,000 in a single year points to strong capital growth recently, but the rental yield is limited. Weekly rent of $290 against a $1,125,000 median implies a gross yield below 1.5%. The vacancy rate of 4.9% and low renter share of 21.3% mean tenant demand is modest, so the investment case relies on continued capital appreciation rather than income.
How is Cheltenham's population changing?
Cheltenham's population is 2,236 across a 1.14 km2 area, with a median age of 44, which is 4 years above the national figure. Residential stability is high, with 86% of residents at the same address in the year prior to the census. The aging median age and low turnover of 14% suggest the suburb is maturing rather than experiencing rapid demographic change.
How much development is happening in Cheltenham?
There were 24 development applications lodged in the past 12 months, most targeting dwelling additions and ancillary accommodation under performance-assessed pathways. This level of activity is moderate for a 1.14 km2 suburb and reflects owner-occupiers improving existing homes rather than large-scale redevelopment, consistent with the 81.1% separate house stock and low renter proportion of 21.3%.
How to read these comparisons
Phrases like "above the national average" reference the unweighted median across Australian suburbs with more than 1,000 residents, not population-weighted national figures. Suburb-level medians are more useful for ranking suburbs against each other; ABS census headlines are population-weighted (so dominated by Sydney and Melbourne) and can read very differently.
Current baseline (refreshed 2026-05-10): median age 40, university-educated 30.1%, born overseas 21.6%, average household size 2.5 people.
Data sources: ABS 2021 Census (demographics, income, tenure), state Valuer-General (house prices), Department of Jobs SALM (unemployment), ACARA (school ICSEA), state Crime Statistics agencies (offences), council DA portals (development applications). Population forecasts use a Hamilton-Perry cohort model calibrated to ABS ERP.
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