According to an analysis of CoreLogic data, there are large price differentials between a suburb’s overall median price and the median price of its smaller geographical zones, allowing buyers to save close to half-a-million by buying a home in the cheaper pockets of these top-end neighbourhoods.

In Unley Park, for example, where the median house price is $1.505 million, there are micro areas where buyers could pay, on average, $398,500 less.

It’s a similar story for Leabrook which, despite having a suburb median of $1.405 million, has pockets where houses sell for $945,000 - a difference of $460,000.

Those looking to invest in a unit can find the biggest savings in Eastwood.

The popular blue-chip suburb has a median unit price of $544,000 but some pockets sell on average for $243,000 less.

Other micro pockets can be found in Toorak Gardens, Rose Park, Medindie, Walkerville, Tusmore, Malvern, Dulwich, Tennyson, Hyde Park, Kent Town, Norwood, Glynde, Tranmere, Mile End, Maylands, North Brighton and Glenelg.

Use the interactive map below to explore Adelaide’s cheapest and most expensive pockets.

Realestate.com.au chief economist Nerida Conisbee said being on the edge of a suburb, away from water or on a main road could make for a cheaper price.

“There are those factors which can really contribute to a large price differential,” she said.

“If you’re in an area with less desirable housing stock, for whatever reason, that can make a difference.

“Also land size, maybe there are certain locations where the blocks — when they were originally carved up — were a lot bigger compared to some of the other areas.”

Tim Thredgold of Toop&Toop Real Estate said buyers looking to snag a bargain in Adelaide’s blue-chip suburbs should consider homes that didn’t fit the mould.

“If you’re looking to buy in a blue chip suburb where median prices are on the increase, there are always going to be properties that don’t fit the style, character or landscape of that area,” he said.

“I’m thinking of the proverbial ugly duckling that may have been built in the sixties or seventies, that is surrounded by prestigious homes.

“A home like that, even though it may need doing up, you’d buy that just for the land value.

“As median prices go up, it’s these kind of properties that will become highly sought-after as all you’ll need is a bit of imagination to make them fit into the suburb.”

The date range used for the SA1 areas used is 1 November 2015 to 31 October. There had to be at least three sales in each SA1 area for that zone to meet the data requirements.

Suburb median house prices are for the 12 months to 31 October, according to CoreLogic.