Melbourne · VIC · 3018

You'll need $66,733/yr to live in Altona.

The 30%-rule benchmark for a single person, based on quarterly government bond data.

1BR median rent
$385/wk
Annual rent change
Rental stress (median income)
No
Bonds lodged

Location

Melbourne, VIC

Rent trend

Quarterly median rent

Can you afford it on your salary?

Pick your bracket to see weekly leftover, budget breakdown and cheaper alternatives in Altona

Closest to the $66,733/yr the 30% rule needs is highlighted.

Rent details

1 BR
$385/wk
2 BR
$475/wk
3 BR
$550/wk
4+ BR
$580/wk
Annual change
Quarterly change

Suburb affordability ledger

ABS Census 2021 (income WPI-indexed to 2026) · rent vs household income

Household income (est. 2026)
$2,155/wk
Median age
42
Avg household size
2.3
Rent-to-income
26%

Household income is the 2021 Census median indexed forward to 2026 by ABS wage growth; rent-to-income and stress compare current rent to that estimate.

About renting in Altona

Altona's 1-bedroom median rent is $385 a week, which puts it in the cheapest quarter of the 168 Melbourne suburbs NestLedger tracks. Only 32 tracked suburbs ask less, so for renters working to a tight budget it is one of the area's genuine value options.

There is not yet enough quarterly history in the bond data to describe a rent trend for Altona, so the current median is the figure to work from.

Using the 30% affordability benchmark, a single renter needs about $66,733 a year to take on Altona's 1-bedroom median rent without overextending (based on the $385/wk 1BR median, single household). On the local median household income, Altona stays under the 30% line: the typical household here is not in rental stress.

If Altona stretches the budget, the nearest cheaper options NestLedger tracks are West Footscray ($365/wk), Sunshine ($330/wk), close enough to keep the same commute patterns while cutting the weekly rent.

Is Altona expensive to rent in?

Altona's 1-bedroom median rent is $385/wk, below the middle of the 168 Melbourne suburbs NestLedger tracks (32 tracked suburbs are cheaper).

What salary do I need to rent in Altona?

About $66,733 a year for a single renter under the 30% rule: annual income = (weekly rent × 52) ÷ 0.3, using based on the $385/wk 1BR median, single household.

Is rent in Altona going up?

There is not yet enough quarterly bond data to describe a trend for Altona.

What are cheaper suburbs near Altona?

West Footscray at $365/wk, Sunshine at $330/wk, the closest tracked suburbs with a lower single-basis rent.

How is the salary needed calculated?

The salary needed uses the 30% rule: annual income required = (weekly rent x 52) / 0.3. This is a widely used affordability benchmark: spending more than 30% of gross income on rent is considered "rental stress".

Where does the rent data come from?

Rent data comes from government bond lodgement records: NSW DCJ, QLD RTA, VIC DFFH, SA Consumer and Business Services via SA Housing Authority, and Tasmania Department of Justice rental bond data. This covers actual bonds lodged, making it one of the most reliable rent data sources in Australia.