Airport West rental yield currently sits at approximately 2.3% gross based on a median weekly rent of $401 and a median house sale price of $915,000 recorded in the April to June 2025 quarter. While that headline gross figure reflects a period of price softening, the suburb’s strong renter demand, proximity to employment hubs, and improving affordability are drawing renewed investor attention heading into 2026.

What Is the Short Answer on Airport West Rental Yield?

Using the most current data available, the gross rental yield calculation for Airport West looks like this:

• Median weekly rent: $401 (ABS Census 2021, via Collings CRM dataset)
• Median house sale price: $915,000 (April to June 2025 quarter, DataVic/REIV via Collings CRM dataset)
• Gross annual rent: $401 x 52 = $20,852
• Gross rental yield: $20,852 / $915,000 = approximately 2.3%

Net yield, after accounting for property management fees, council rates, insurance, maintenance, and landlord costs, typically lands in the 1.4% to 1.8% range for a standard Airport West house. Units and townhouses, which carry lower entry prices, can push gross yields closer to 3.0% to 3.5%, making them a popular choice for investors who prioritise cash flow over pure capital growth.

It is also worth noting that median rents recorded at the 2021 Census predate the significant rental inflation seen across Melbourne from 2022 onward. Current advertised rents in Airport West for three-bedroom houses routinely exceed $450 to $500 per week, which would lift the effective gross yield on a $915,000 purchase to closer to 2.6% to 2.8% at current market rates.

What Do the Numbers Say About the Airport West Property Market in 2026?

The April to June 2025 quarter recorded a median house price of $915,000 in Airport West, representing a quarter-on-quarter decline of 7.0% and a year-on-year decline of 6.2% (DataVic/REIV via Collings CRM dataset). For investors, a period of price correction is not necessarily bad news. Lower entry prices, when combined with stable or rising rents, directly improve gross yield and reduce the capital required to reach a positive cash-flow position.

Who Lives in Airport West?

Understanding the renter pool matters as much as the headline yield. According to ABS Census 2021 data (via Collings CRM dataset), Airport West has a population of 8,173, a median age of 39, and a median household income of $1,761 per week. That income profile suggests a stable, working-age tenant base with the capacity to absorb moderate rent increases, which is a positive signal for investors seeking reliable tenancy and low vacancy.

How Does Airport West Compare Across Melbourne?

Airport West’s gross yield of approximately 2.3% on houses sits below Melbourne’s highest-yielding suburbs, where gross yields on units can reach 4.5% to 5.5% in the right pockets. For a broader picture of where Airport West sits in the hierarchy, the high rental yield suburbs Melbourne 2026 guide from Collings maps out the top-performing postcodes across the metro area with comparable data. Investors who are open to adjacent suburbs or different asset classes may find compelling alternatives, while those focused specifically on Airport West’s infrastructure and lifestyle fundamentals will find the suburb’s yield profile increasingly attractive as prices stabilise.

According to Herron Todd White’s March 2026 national review, investor lending has surged across Australian capital cities, with investor loans growing at 12.3% over 12 months compared to just 1.7% for owner-occupier loans. That appetite is flowing into middle-ring suburbs like Airport West, where relative affordability and proximity to major employment corridors are sustaining interest even as broader market conditions remain mixed.

What Are the Key Considerations When Investing in Airport West?

Airport West sits approximately 12 kilometres north-west of Melbourne’s CBD, bordered by Essendon Airport, Moonee Valley, and Keilor East. That geographic position delivers several structural investment advantages that yield calculations alone do not capture.

Infrastructure and Employment Proximity

Essendon Airport, located immediately adjacent to the suburb, is one of Melbourne’s busiest general aviation and business aviation hubs. The airport precinct supports significant employment in aviation, logistics, and retail, creating a steady pool of local workers seeking rental accommodation. The Westfield Airport West shopping centre and major arterial road access to the Western Ring Road further underpin the suburb’s liveability and tenant appeal.

Asset Type Matters for Yield

Houses in Airport West deliver solid long-term capital growth potential but more modest gross yields in the 2.3% to 2.8% range. Investment properties Melbourne specialists at Collings consistently point investors toward well-positioned units and townhouses in the suburb, where lower entry prices and comparable rents can push gross yields materially higher. A one or two-bedroom unit purchased in the $450,000 to $600,000 range, renting for $350 to $420 per week, delivers a gross yield of approximately 3.0% to 3.8%, which is considerably more competitive in the current interest rate environment.

Vacancy Rates and Rental Demand

SQM Research data for the broader Moonee Valley local government area consistently records vacancy rates below 2%, indicating a tight rental market where well-presented properties lease quickly and landlords retain strong negotiating power at renewal. Airport West specifically benefits from proximity to the airport employment precinct and major retail, reducing the risk of extended vacancy periods that erode net returns.

The ATO Investor Context

The Australian Taxation Office’s investor statistics consistently show that negatively geared properties in middle-ring Melbourne suburbs are held by investors expecting capital growth to offset short-term cash-flow deficits. Airport West’s current yield profile, particularly on houses, fits that model. However, with median prices having softened by 6.2% year-on-year, investors acquiring now at reduced prices are better positioned for eventual yield improvement as rents continue to rise and prices recover. For investors who need stronger immediate cash flow, units remain the preferred vehicle in this suburb.

How Does Collings Real Estate Help Airport West Investors?

Collings Real Estate has been serving Melbourne property investors from its office at 230 Waterdale Road, Ivanhoe VIC 3079 for decades. The team brings genuine on-the-ground knowledge of the north-west Melbourne corridor, including Airport West, Essendon, Strathmore, Keilor East, and adjacent suburbs where complementary investment opportunities exist.

Property Management Expertise

Maximising net rental yield is not just about the purchase price you pay. It depends equally on low vacancy, well-managed tenancies, proactive maintenance, and timely rent reviews. Collings’ property management team handles every element of the landlord relationship, ensuring investors earn the best possible return from their Airport West property without the day-to-day burden of self-management.

Access to Off-Market Opportunities

Some of the best-yielding properties in Airport West never reach the public portals. Collings maintains an active off-market database of investment-grade properties across Melbourne’s north and north-west. Registering on the Collings investment portal gives buyers priority access to these opportunities before they are widely listed, which can mean acquiring at a lower price point and immediately improving your entry yield.

Strategic Investment Advice

Whether you are assessing your first investment property or adding to an existing portfolio, a Collings property strategist can model gross and net yield scenarios across multiple Airport West asset types, run comparisons with comparable suburbs, and help you identify the purchase that best aligns with your cash-flow and growth objectives. For investors also considering Melbourne’s inner north, the rental yield Northcote analysis provides a useful benchmark from a suburb with a different but comparable investment profile.

To speak with the team directly, call 03 9486 2000 or email info@collings.com.au.

Frequently Asked Questions About Airport West Rental Yield

The questions below address the most common queries investors raise when evaluating Airport West as an investment destination.

What is the gross rental yield in Airport West in 2026?

Based on a median house sale price of $915,000 (April to June 2025 quarter, DataVic/REIV) and a median weekly rent of $401 (ABS Census 2021), the gross rental yield for houses is approximately 2.3%. Current advertised rents above $450 per week push this closer to 2.6% to 2.8%. Units and townhouses typically yield 3.0% to 3.8% gross at current market rents.

Is Airport West a good suburb to invest in?

Airport West offers a stable tenant base, low vacancy rates, and proximity to Essendon Airport employment. While house yields are modest on a gross basis, the suburb’s infrastructure position and median price softening of 6.2% year-on-year create an improving entry-level opportunity for investors willing to hold through the cycle. Units deliver stronger immediate cash flow.

What is the median house price in Airport West?

The median house sale price in Airport West was $915,000 in the April to June 2025 quarter, according to DataVic/REIV data compiled via the Collings CRM dataset. This represents a quarter-on-quarter decline of 7.0% and a year-on-year decline of 6.2%.

What is the average rent in Airport West?

ABS Census 2021 data (via Collings CRM dataset) records a median rent of $401 per week across all dwelling types in Airport West. Current advertised rents for three-bedroom houses are typically in the range of $450 to $500 per week, reflecting significant rental growth since the Census benchmark was recorded.

How do I find investment properties in Airport West?

Collings Real Estate lists investment-grade properties across Airport West and the broader north-west Melbourne corridor. Registering on the Collings investment portal at collings.com.au/portal provides access to off-market listings. You can also contact the team on 03 9486 2000 or at info@collings.com.au to discuss your specific requirements with a property strategist.

Talk to a Collings Property Strategist

If you are considering investing in Airport West or want a personalised yield analysis across multiple suburbs and asset types, the Collings team is ready to help. With deep local expertise, access to off-market stock, and a full-service property management operation, Collings is the natural partner for serious Melbourne property investors. Call 03 9486 2000, email info@collings.com.au, or visit us at 230 Waterdale Road, Ivanhoe VIC 3079 to start the conversation.