If you’re looking for an apartment for rent within 6km of Melbourne’s CBD, Footscray is well worth considering. The inner-west suburb offers a combination that can be hard to find so close to the city, with excellent transport connections, a growing selection of apartments and townhouses, and plenty happening within the local neighbourhood.
Footscray Station is just a short train ride from Southern Cross, making the commute into the CBD particularly convenient. With around 56% of dwellings in Footscray 3011 being rented, there is also an established rental market and a steady flow of properties becoming available.
At Jas Stephens, we’ve been part of Melbourne’s inner west since 1923. Our property managers know Footscray well, from central Footscray and the Joseph Road precinct through to West Footscray, and understand what renters are looking for across the area. So, what makes Footscray a good choice for renters? And how does it compare with nearby suburbs such as Brunswick, North Melbourne or the CBD fringe?
Footscray has plenty to offer, and if you’re weighing up which type of home is right for you, take a look at our guide to the different property types in Australia to understand what each option offers. So, what makes Footscray such a popular choice for apartment renters? Let’s take a closer look at what the suburb has to offer.
What makes Footscray a good choice for renters?
If you’re looking for a Footscray rental, the suburb offers a combination that is difficult to overlook: a strong renter presence, a diverse range of properties and convenient public transport connections to Melbourne’s CBD and surrounding suburbs.
Whether you’re looking for a modern apartment, a townhouse or an established house, renting in Footscray gives you plenty of options close to the city.
A strong rental market in Footscray
Renting is a significant part of the Footscray housing market. A high proportion of renter households reflects the suburb’s appeal to people looking for relatively close-to-the-city accommodation without living in Melbourne’s CBD itself. Footscray is particularly popular with renters who value access to shops, restaurants, services and public transport.
If you’re currently searching for a property for rent in Footscray, our Footscray property listings show properties currently available across the suburb.
A wide choice of Footscray rental properties
One of the biggest advantages of renting in Footscray is the variety of housing available, as we mentioned; for renters, that means there are different types of homes to consider depending on your budget, household size and lifestyle. You might choose a modern apartment close to Footscray’s transport and shopping precinct, a townhouse with additional space or an established house in one of the suburb’s residential streets.
This variety also makes Footscray apartments for rent particularly worth considering if you want to live close to Melbourne’s CBD while having access to a wider range of property styles. If you’re looking for a suburb where you can raise your family, with a wide range of property types available as your needs change, Footscray is one of the best choices for you and your family. You can stay in the same area as your children grow without having to worry about changing schools simply because you need to find a different type of rental property. On the other hand, if you’re living alone and want to be close to the CBD while keeping your rental costs a little lower, Footscray can also be a great choice. With its proximity to Melbourne’s CBD and variety of apartments, it offers a practical balance between location, lifestyle and affordability.
Easy access to Melbourne’s CBD and beyond
Public transport is another major reason Footscray appeals to renters.
Footscray Station is an important interchange on Melbourne’s western rail network. Following the network changes introduced in February 2026, passengers can connect between Metro Tunnel services on the Sunbury, Cranbourne and Pakenham lines and Werribee or Williamstown services at Footscray.
The Metro Tunnel has also added more services and new connections across Melbourne’s public transport network. For renters who work or study in the CBD or other parts of inner Melbourne, living close to Footscray Station can make getting around without a car more convenient.
If you’re comparing Footscray with other Melbourne suburbs, transport accessibility is one of the factors worth considering alongside rental prices, property type and proximity to work or study.
Be prepared when applying for a Footscray rental
Footscray’s popularity means competition can be a consideration when a well-priced rental property becomes available. If you’re planning to rent in the area, it helps to have your identification, proof of income and rental references ready before attending an inspection.
Being prepared means you can submit an application promptly if you find a property that suits you.
For the latest Footscray rental properties, you can browse our residential leasing listings and see what’s currently available.
Looking for more information about the suburb?
What does it cost to rent in Footscray?
Rental prices are usually the first thing renters want to know, so here is where the market sits.
- Units in Footscray: $540 per week
- Houses in Footscray: $620 per week
- Units in West Footscray: $472 per week
These CoreLogic figures show the median rents recorded across the 12 months to August 2026. However, it is important to keep a couple of things in mind when comparing suburb-level rental data. A combined unit median includes both one- and two-bedroom apartments, so it does not necessarily reflect the price you will pay for either type of property. Medians also reflect rents from leases that have already been agreed, while current listings can be higher.
Looking at advertised rents in early September 2026 gives a better indication of what renters are being asked to pay now. In Footscray, for example, a two-bedroom apartment on Eleanor Street was advertised at $560 per week, while one-bedroom apartments in the McNab Avenue towers were listed at $595 and $655 per week. The difference of around $100 per week between older apartment buildings and newer developments can make a noticeable difference to your rental budget, so it is worth comparing both options before making a decision. For the latest prices, please explore our residential properties for lease page.
If you are working with a tighter budget, West Footscray and Maidstone may offer better value. The trade-off is that you may be further from a train station and from Footscray’s main shopping, dining and entertainment areas.
How much choice will you actually have?
In early September 2026, around 298 apartments were advertised for rent across the suburb, out of approximately 460 rental properties in total. Rather than having to choose from just a few available properties, renters in Footscray can compare different buildings, locations and property types before deciding where to apply.
That choice is particularly valuable in Melbourne’s tight rental market. SQM Research recorded a rental vacancy rate of 1.6% across Melbourne in June 2026, with inner-city areas generally experiencing even tighter conditions. While Footscray’s large supply of apartments does not mean competition disappears, it does give renters more options to consider.
Some of this choice comes from professionally managed build-to-rent developments, which can offer longer lease options and are often more accommodating of pets. Older, privately owned apartments can also be more affordable on a weekly basis. There is no single option that suits everyone; build-to-rent may appeal if stability and convenience are your priorities, while an older apartment could make more sense if keeping your weekly rent down is the main goal.
The new Footscray Hospital precinct
The new Footscray Hospital opened to patients on 18 February 2026, replacing the original Gordon Street facility. The Victorian Health Building Authority describes the $1.5 billion project as the state’s largest health infrastructure investment to date, delivering more than 500 inpatient beds along with more than 9,000 square metres of retail, commercial and specialist health tenancies in the surrounding precinct. It sits beside Victoria University’s Footscray Park campus, connected by a footbridge over Ballarat Road. For anyone working in health or studying nearby, it puts a major teaching hospital and a university campus within walking distance of the station. For everyone else, the new retail and food tenancies simply add to what is already on offer locally.
Be prepared when applying for a Footscray rental
Footscray’s popularity means competition can be a consideration when a well-priced rental property becomes available. If you’re planning to rent in the area, it helps to have your identification, proof of income and rental references ready before attending an inspection. Being prepared means you can submit an application promptly if you find a property that suits you. For the latest Footscray rental properties, you can browse our residential leasing listings and see what’s currently available or contact the Jas Stephens team directly.
Comparing Rental Properties in Footscray and Melbourne CBD
| Category | Footscray (3011) | Melbourne CBD (3000) |
| Median unit rent | $540 per week | $680 per week |
| Median house rent | $620 per week | $712 per week |
| 12-month lease cost (median unit) | About $28,080 | About $35,360 (roughly $7,280 more) |
| Apartments advertised for rent | Around 298 (out of ~460 total rental properties) | Around 2,280 (out of ~2,527 total rental properties) |
| Typical housing stock | New towers, mid-rise buildings, older walk-up blocks, townhouses, and established houses | Almost entirely apartments in high-rise towers, including many studios and one-bedrooms |
| Suburb size | About 5.0 km² | About 2.7 km² |
| Parkland | 25 parks (covering ~15% of the suburb) | 9 parks (covering ~2.5% of the area) |
| Getting into the city | One train; Footscray Station is 5.6km from Southern Cross, with Metro Tunnel services to Arden, Parkville, State Library, Town Hall, and Anzac | Already there; most trips on foot or by tram |
| Public transport cost | A Myki fare each way for the train | Free Tram Zone covers most trips inside the city grid |
| Regional connections | V/Line services to Geelong, Ballarat, and Bendigo stop at Footscray | Regional services depart from Southern Cross |
| Food and groceries | Footscray Market, Hopkins Street precinct, and supermarkets (all walkable) | Queen Victoria Market, laneway dining, and supermarkets within retail arcades |
| Green space & recreation | Maribyrnong River trail, Footscray Park, and Brimbank Park along the river | Yarra Promenade, Treasury & Fitzroy Gardens, and Royal Botanic Gardens just outside the grid |
| Worth asking before applying | Car space inclusion, heating and glazing quality, and embedded utility networks | Car space inclusion, council parking permit eligibility, and embedded utility networks |
| Suits renters who… | Want a neighbourhood feel, more space for the money, and a wider choice of property types | Want to walk to work in the city grid and put convenience above space |
How to apply for a rental property in Footscray
Navigating the Footscray rental market requires following Victoria’s standardised application regulations administered by Consumer Affairs Victoria.
Essential Application Checklist
Victorian tenancy laws limit the exact documentation a landlord or real estate agent can request:
- Official Application Form: Every private rental application must use the standard Consumer Affairs Victoria form. Property managers are prohibited from requesting any information beyond what is specified on this form.
- Identity Documents (2 Max): Applicants only need to supply up to two valid forms of identification (such as a driver’s licence, passport, or Medicare card).
- Proof of Income (2 Max): You are required to submit a maximum of two approved financial documents demonstrating your ability to pay rent (e.g., recent pay slips or bank statements).
Tenant Protection and Banned Practices
- Zero Application Fees: It is illegal for rental providers, real estate agents, or third-party rental platforms to charge application fees or costs for paying rent.
- Prohibited Questions: Landlords cannot ask about pet ownership, prior legal or tribunal disputes, or past bond history during the initial application phase.
- No Rent Bidding: Rental bidding is strictly illegal across Victoria. Agents cannot solicit, invite, or encourage applicants to offer higher than the listed rental rate.
- Strict Privacy Rules: Real estate agencies must disclose any tenancy databases they use and are legally required to securely destroy or de-identify applicant data within specified timeframes.
Securing a Rental in Footscray
Footscray’s high volume of apartment turnover creates fast-moving rental cycles. Organising your identification and financial proof ahead of time allows you to submit your standardised Consumer Affairs Victoria application immediately after an inspection, giving you a distinct advantage on the day.
How much bond do you need for a Footscray rental?
In Victoria, rental bonds are legally capped and strictly regulated by the Residential Tenancies Bond Authority (RTBA) to protect tenant funds.
Standard Bond Amounts & Calculations
- One Month Cap: For properties advertised at $900 per week or less, the maximum bond allowed is equivalent to one month’s rent.
- Calculation: On a median Footscray unit rent of $540 per week, one month’s bond comes to $2,340 (calculated via the standard Victorian formula: [Weekly Rent × 52] ÷ 12).
- High-Value Properties: Homes listed at $900 per week or above are exempt from the one-month limit, allowing landlords to request a higher bond by mutual agreement.
- Mandatory RTBA Lodgement: Neither real estate agents nor private landlords can retain bond funds. All bond payments must be lodged directly with the RTBA within 10 business days.
Victoria’s Portable Rental Bond Scheme
- Commencement: The Victorian Government’s Portable Rental Bond Scheme came into effect on 1 July 2026.
- How It Works: Rather than paying a full second bond upfront while waiting for a previous refund, eligible renters can roll their existing RTBA-held bond over to their next rental property.
- Coverage: The scheme covers both real estate agency-managed properties and private landlord listings lodged through the RTBA system.
Key Takeaways for Renters
Footscray offers renters a strong combination of affordability, property choice and convenient access to Melbourne’s CBD. With apartments, townhouses and houses available, along with excellent transport links and local amenities, it’s a suburb that can suit a wide range of renters and changing needs.
Frequently Asked Questions: Renting in Footscray
How much does it cost to rent an apartment in Footscray?
The median unit rent in Footscray sits at $540 per week according to CoreLogic data covering the 12 months to August 2026. Advertised rental rates in early September 2026 ranged from around $560 per week for an older two-bedroom layout to $655 per week for a one-bedroom apartment in a newly built high-rise.
Is Footscray a good suburb to rent in?
It is a strong choice for apartment renters. Located less than 6km from the Melbourne CBD, the suburb is well-connected by the Sunbury line through the Metro Tunnel alongside Werribee and Williamstown rail services. Its deeper high-density housing stock compared to surrounding inner suburbs gives tenants more genuine options and availability.
Where can I rent more cheaply near Footscray?
West Footscray is the most direct budget alternative, with a median unit rent of $472 per week compared to Footscray’s $540 median. Maidstone offers a similar price point. Both suburbs trade off slightly longer walks to train stations and smaller commercial strips for lower weekly rent.
How competitive is the Footscray rental market in 2026?
Melbourne’s vacancy rate hovered at a historically tight 1.6 per cent in June 2026, according to SQM Research. Footscray offsets this broader market pressure with high turnover and listing volume, maintaining around 298 advertised rental apartments in early September 2026.
What should I check before applying for a Footscray apartment?
Inspect the insulation, heating setups, and window glazing, since older walk-up blocks can incur high heating and cooling bills. Confirm whether the building operates on an embedded energy network. Check how management coordinates parcel deliveries, visitor access, and repairs. Lastly, document all pre-existing wear and tear on the official condition report before signing and submitting it.
| Please note: Rental laws and regulations change frequently. The information contained in this article is current as of the date of publication. |