Co-Living Cost Melbourne.
How much does a co-living house cost to build in Melbourne — indicative build costs by room count, plus the development, furnishing, approval and professional fees that make up the total.
How much does a co-living house cost in Melbourne?
The total cost of a co-living development is land plus construction plus the softer costs of approvals, professional fees, furnishing and contingency. Construction is the largest controllable component, and it scales with room count, specification, site conditions and the building classification.
As an indicative guide, a 4-room rooming house may build from around $520k, while a 9-room purpose-built co-living development typically builds from around $900k, excluding land. Detailed cost is always site-specific and should be confirmed with a quantity surveyor.
Indicative build cost by configuration.
Indicative build cost only, excluding land, approvals and furnishing. Illustrative.
| Configuration | Indicative build from | Indicative gross rent | Indicative yield |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4-room | $520k | $93k | 7.5% |
| 5-room | $610k | $117k | 8.2% |
| 6-room | $700k | $140k | 9.0% |
| 7-room | $790k | $164k | 9.7% |
| 8-room | $880k | $187k | 10.4% |
| 9-room | $900k | $210k | 13.1% |
Illustrative estimates only. Not a quote or financial advice.
What makes up the total development cost.
Land
Varies widely by suburb — from ~$520k in affordable growth corridors to ~$920k+ in inner-eastern demand precincts.
Construction
The largest controllable cost. Driven by room count, specification, site conditions and classification.
Approvals & permits
Planning permit, building permit, and any specialist reports (traffic, acoustic, arborist) the site requires.
Professional fees
Design, engineering, town planning, surveying and certification.
Furnishing
Fit-out of suites and shared areas for rental use — appliances, window coverings, floor finishes.
Contingency
A contingency allowance for site-specific conditions and market movements during the build.
Cost FAQs.
How much does a 9-room co-living house cost?
Indicatively, a 9-room purpose-built co-living development builds from around $900k, excluding land. Total development cost including land, approvals, professional fees, furnishing and contingency is higher and site-specific.
Why is co-living more expensive to build than a house?
Per square metre, co-living can cost more because of the multiple bathrooms and kitchenettes, acoustic separation and Class 1B compliance provisions. The economics work because a single site produces multiple rental incomes.
What is not included in the indicative build figures?
Land, stamp duty, planning and building permit fees, professional fees, furnishing, financing costs and contingency are typically excluded from the indicative build-from figures shown here.
Cost is site-specific.
Use the calculator to model total development cost against income for your scenario, then assess your actual site.
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