If you’re thinking about buying in East Brisbane QLD, you’re already looking at one of the most compelling inner-city addresses in Brisbane. Sitting just 2km from the CBD with the Brisbane River shaping its northern boundary, this is the kind of suburb that consistently attracts commercial property buyers who want proximity, character, and long-term performance in a single package.
This East Brisbane suburb profile gives you the current data, a clear property market picture, and the detail you need to decide whether this suburb fits your goals as a home buyer or investor.
Key Takeaways
- Location: 2km east of Brisbane CBD; positioned between Kangaroo Point and Woolloongabba with riverfront access
- Median House Price: $1,665,000 | annual growth of 18.00% over 12 months
- Median Unit Price: $715,000 | annual growth of 6.72% over 12 months
- Days on Market: Houses sell in 25 days; units in 16 days
- Median Rent: $820/week (houses), $620/week (units)
- Gross Rental Yield: 2.56% (houses), 4.51% (units)
- Population: 6,186 (2021 Census); median weekly household income of $2,056
- Tenure: 42% owner-occupiers, 58% renters
- Vacancy Rate: 2.42%, easing downward over 5 years
- Schools: Anglican Church Grammar School, East Brisbane State School
- Childcare: 8 child care centres within the suburb
- Crime Score: 22/100 (low; high score means more crime)
Geography and Character
East Brisbane covers 1.86 square kilometres of inner-city terrain between the Brisbane River and the suburb of Woolloongabba. It shares borders with Kangaroo Point, Norman Park, Coorparoo, and Stones Corner, with Vulture Street and Stanley Street serving as two of the main arterials cutting through the area.
The suburb sits on the southern bank of the river, which gives certain pockets of East Brisbane elevated views back toward the CBD and Story Bridge. The street layout is predominantly established residential, with a mix of original Queenslanders, character homes, and apartment complexes concentrated along the main roads and river-facing blocks.
The suburb’s compact size of under 2km² means amenity is generally walkable, and the CBD is genuinely close. Buyers should check flood overlays for properties near the river’s edge, as low-lying sections can carry risk. Individual flood profiles should be verified via the Brisbane City Council flood awareness map before proceeding on any specific address.
Transport
East Brisbane QLD has solid connectivity for an inner-ring suburb. The CBD is 2km away, which makes it a straightforward commute by car, bicycle, or ferry. The Eleanor Schonell Bridge connects the suburb to the South Bank and West End precinct, and multiple bus routes operate along Stanley Street and Vulture Street.
For river access, the CityCat ferry network stops at nearby New Farm and Kangaroo Point, giving residents another route into the CBD and South Bank. Cyclists benefit from the Veloway 1 path network and connections to the broader inner-city cycling infrastructure.
For current timetables and route planning, visit translink.com.au.
Education
Child Care Centres
There are 5 child care centres operating within East Brisbane, QLD 4169, covering a range of early childhood education and outside school hours care needs.
| Operator | Address |
| East Brisbane Family Day Care | 538 Vulture Street, East Brisbane QLD 4169 |
| Oaklands Child Care & Kindergarten | 2 Oaklands Parade, East Brisbane QLD 4169 |
| Oaklands Child Care and Kindergarten Outside School Hours Care | 17 Oaklands Parade, East Brisbane QLD 4169 |
| Harmony Early Learning Journey East Brisbane | 557 Vulture St E, East Brisbane QLD 4169 |
| YMCA East Brisbane Outside School Hours Care | 56 Wellington Road, East Brisbane (East Brisbane State School) |
Schools
There are 2 schools located within East Brisbane, QLD 4169.
| School Name | Type | Sector |
| Anglican Church Grammar School | Combined | Non-Government |
| East Brisbane State School | Primary | Government |
Anglican Church Grammar School (Churchie) is one of Brisbane’s most prominent independent schools, located on the suburb’s southern boundary. Its presence is a meaningful draw for families and a consistent driver of property interest in the surrounding streets.
Families with children in the area also have access to a strong range of schools in the immediately surrounding suburbs.
| School Name | Suburb | Type |
| Villanova College | Coorparoo | Secondary |
| Loreto College Brisbane | Coorparoo | Secondary |
| Coorparoo State School | Coorparoo | Primary |
| Coorparoo Secondary College | Coorparoo | Secondary |
| St Joseph’s Primary School | Kangaroo Point | Primary |
| Brisbane Grammar School | Spring Hill | Secondary |
| Brisbane Girls Grammar School | Spring Hill | Secondary |
| Mater Dei Catholic Primary School | Woolloongabba | Primary |
Always verify your specific address against the school catchment tool at the Queensland Government school catchment portal before purchasing, as catchment boundaries can vary by street.
Amenities and Lifestyle
East Brisbane’s lifestyle appeal sits in its balance of inner-city access and residential street character. The suburb is close enough to the CBD to be genuinely convenient, but the street-level character is distinctly neighbourhood in feel.
Stanley Street is the suburb’s main dining and lifestyle strip, with cafes, restaurants, and specialty retailers spread across the Norman Park and Stones Corner precincts nearby. The East Brisbane Day Hospital on Wellington Road is the suburb’s primary private medical facility.
Green space is accessible without being abundant at the suburb level. The Kangaroo Point Cliffs and riverside parklands are walkable from most addresses, and the South Bank Parklands are a short ferry or bike ride across the river. Norman Park to the east provides a broader green buffer.
Woolloongabba is a short walk south, which means residents have access to the redeveloped Gabba precinct, including Coles, Aldi, and the expanding restaurant and bar scene that has taken hold around Logan Road and Vulture Street.
What Properties Are Available in East Brisbane?
The dwelling mix in East Brisbane reflects its inner-city, infill character. Freestanding houses make up a meaningful share of the market but are increasingly rare relative to the apartment stock, which now accounts for over 50% of all dwellings.
Dwelling structure breakdown:
- Separate houses: 44.4%
- Flats and apartments: 50.5%
- Townhouses: 5.1%
- Other: 0.0%
Character homes in East Brisbane are predominantly pre-war Queenslanders and post-war timber construction, many of which have been renovated to a high standard. These are concentrated on the quieter residential streets away from the main arterials.
The apartment stock is mixed. Older low-rise complexes along Vulture Street and Wellington Road sit alongside newer mid-rise developments. Unit buyers should review body corporate financials, sinking fund contributions, and any upcoming capital works levies before proceeding.
Properties on or near Stanley Street, Vulture Street, and Lytton Road can experience road traffic noise, which is worth factoring into any assessment. Flood risk is relevant for properties closest to the Brisbane River, and buyers should verify individual overlays before committing.
Is East Brisbane a Good Suburb to Invest In?
East Brisbane Real Estate Market Performance
The numbers over the past five years tell a consistent story. House prices have increased by 69.90% over five years, adding $685,000 to the median price and bringing it to $1,665,000. Units have moved 82.86% over the same period, adding $324,000 to reach $715,000.
| Growth Report (Houses) | Median Price | Days on Market |
| Current Month | $1,665,000 | 25 |
| 3 mo. Change | 2.78% (+$45,000) | -10.71% (-3) |
| 12 mo. Change | 18.00% (+$254,000) | 13.64% (+3) |
| 3-Yr Change | 28.08% (+$365,000) | 0.00% (0) |
| 5-Yr Change | 69.90% (+$685,000) | -65.75% (-48) |
| Growth Report (Units) | Median Price | Days on Market |
| Current Month | $715,000 | 16 |
| 3 mo. Change | 2.51% (+$17,500) | 0.00% (0) |
| 12 mo. Change | 6.72% (+$45,000) | 6.67% (+1) |
| 3-Yr Change | 48.96% (+$235,000) | -27.27% (-6) |
| 5-Yr Change | 82.86% (+$324,000) | -75.38% (-49) |
| Houses | Units | |
| 5-Yr Annual Growth (CAGR) | 11.18% | 12.83% |
| 10-Yr Annual Growth (CAGR) | 6.56% | 4.72% |
| 20-Yr Annual Growth (CAGR) | 6.94% | 4.72% |
| 30-Yr Annual Growth (CAGR) | 8.29% | 6.01% |
| Median Rent (per week) | $820 | $620 |
| Gross Rental Yield | 2.56% | 4.51% |
Days on Market
Houses in East Brisbane are currently selling in 25 days on average. Over the past five years, house days on market have dropped by 65.75% (48 fewer days), signalling a meaningful tightening of buyer competition relative to available stock. Units are moving faster still at 16 days, down 75.38% (49 fewer days) over the same period.
Properties sitting above 90 days on market tend to attract buyer scepticism. East Brisbane is well clear of that threshold across both property types.
Rental Yield
House rental yields sit at 2.56%, which is consistent with inner-ring Brisbane suburbs where capital growth has outpaced rental increases over recent years. Unit yields at 4.51% are solid for the location and price point, reflecting the suburb’s sustained rental demand from professionals and inner-city workers.
Median rent has grown over five years, with houses up 32.26% to $820 per week and units up 67.57% to $620 per week. This rental growth trajectory supports the income case for units in particular.
Vacancy Rate
The current vacancy rate in East Brisbane sits at 2.42%, with 31 vacancies recorded. The trend is clearly downward: the vacancy rate has fallen 56.34% (40 vacancies) over five years. Rental demand is strengthening relative to supply.
A rate below 2% would represent a market firmly in landlords’ favour. East Brisbane is approaching that level and trending in the right direction.
Key Investment Signals
- Houses selling in 25 days and units in 16 days point to strong buyer competition
- Unit rental yields at 4.51% are solid for a suburb 2km from the Brisbane CBD
- Vacancy rate trending down sharply over five years, now at 2.42%
- SOM% of 0.70% confirms tight supply conditions
- 5-year buyer demand growth of 62.53%, well ahead of the suburb average
- Low crime score of 22/100 supports residential confidence
- Proximity to Churchie and inner-city employment corridors sustains demand across market cycles
In my experience, inner-ring Brisbane suburbs like East Brisbane hold value across cycles because of the combination of constrained supply, genuine lifestyle access, and proximity premiums. The stronger capital case here is houses, while units offer better initial yield. The right choice depends on your objective.
Demographics
At the 2021 Census, East Brisbane had a population of 6,186 people across 3,004 dwellings, with an average household size of 2.2 people. The suburb is predominantly rental-based, with 58% of residents renting and 42% owner-occupying.
Median weekly household income sat at $2,056 in 2021, up from $1,742 in 2016, a trajectory that reflects the suburb’s ongoing gentrification and growing professional population. Median monthly mortgage repayments were $2,167.
The top three occupations by employment are professionals (37%), managers (15%), and clerical and administrative workers (11%). The top industries of employment are hospitals (6.2%), cafes and restaurants (4.0%), and computer system design and related services (2.5%), reflecting a workforce that is broadly white-collar and urban-services oriented.
Key Demographics Over Time
| 2006 | 2011 | 2016 | 2021 | |
| Population | 5,230 | 5,598 | 5,934 | 6,186 |
| Median Weekly Household Income | $1,105 | $1,494 | $1,742 | $2,056 |
| Median Monthly Mortgage Repayments | $1,600 | $2,167 | $2,026 | $2,167 |
| % Owner Occupier | 40% | 45% | 41% | 42% |
| % Renter | 60% | 55% | 59% | 58% |
| Total Dwellings | 2,498 | 2,637 | 2,869 | 3,004 |
| Avg. People per Household | 2.2 | 2.3 | 2.2 | 2.2 |
The SEIFA index (Socio-Economic Indexes for Areas) shows East Brisbane scoring above the national average on the IRSAD scale (Index of Relative Socio-Economic Advantage and Disadvantage), with scores consistently in the 9th and 10th decile range since 2006. This is a reliable indicator of improving demographics and growing appeal to higher-income households over time.
What Are the Best Pockets in East Brisbane?
| Area | Streets / Pockets | Why |
| Premium river-facing | Wellington Road, Northcote Street, Burlington Street surrounds | Character homes with CBD views, strong demand |
| Grammar school precinct | Oaklands Parade, Mowbray Terrace surrounds | Proximity to Churchie, family demand |
| Quiet residential streets | Longlands Street, Clarendon Street, Latrobe Street | Low-traffic character homes, owner-occupier stability |
| Stanley Street corridor | Vulture Street, Lytton Road, Stanley Street | Unit density, cafe and dining access |
| Noise and traffic exposure | Stanley Street, Lytton Road, Wellington Road main arterial | Road noise factor for assessments |
| Flood risk pockets | Properties closest to the Brisbane River frontage | Flood overlay check required |
The most competitive properties in East Brisbane are the freestanding character homes on the quieter residential streets, particularly those in proximity to Churchie. The unit market is concentrated along the main roads and is better suited to yield-focused buyers or those entering the suburb at a lower price point.
Buyers Agent East Brisbane: What to Check Before You Buy
Before making an offer on any property in East Brisbane, work through this checklist:
- Flood overlay check: Verify the specific address via the Brisbane City Council flood awareness map before proceeding.
- Dwelling type alignment: Confirm whether a house or unit suits your objective; houses favour capital growth, units offer stronger initial yield.
- Unit body corporate: Review sinking fund, levies, and any upcoming capital works for any apartment purchase.
- Road and traffic noise: Check proximity to Stanley Street, Lytton Road, Vulture Street, and Wellington Road.
- School catchment verification: Confirm your preferred school zone via the Queensland Government school catchment portal.
- Building and pest inspection: Commission one for any character home, particularly older Queenslander or timber construction.
- DA activity nearby: Check Brisbane City Council’s PD Online for any recent or pending applications on adjoining properties
- Transport access: Confirm bus route frequency and ferry access at translink.com.au.
- View lines for apartments: Check whether current views are protected or exposed to future development
How Streamline Property Buyers Guides Your East Brisbane Move
East Brisbane real estate rewards buyers who know which streets to target, which property types suit their goals, and which buildings carry hidden risks. With houses selling in 25 days and units moving in just 16, the best properties in this suburb move quickly. Waiting to think it over often means starting again.
At Streamline Property Buyers, we work exclusively for buyers across Brisbane. We access both on-market and off-market opportunities, and commercial property options in East Brisbane QLD, complete the due diligence that protects your position, and negotiate on your behalf. Whether you’re buying in East Brisbane as a home buyer, upgrader, or investor, our team can give you the clarity and confidence to move at the right time.
East Brisbane QLD 4169 | Data as at June 2026
Property data sourced from SuburbsFinder Ltd (ABN 34 687 487 921) on behalf of PropTrack Pty Ltd (ABN 43 127 386 298), June 2026. Demographics data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2021 Census. This profile is provided for general information purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or legal advice. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Readers should conduct their own independent due diligence before making property decisions.
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