Overall score
Adelaide
54.3/100
Pakenham
46.8/100
Adelaide for retirees and families; Pakenham for investment and value.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Overall score
Adelaide
54.3/100
Pakenham
46.8/100
Crime rate
Adelaide
362.0 / 1k
Pakenham
81.1 / 1k
Nearby amenities
Adelaide
4,860
Pakenham
488
Population
Adelaide
18,202
Pakenham
54,118
Desirability pillars scored 0–100 vs comparable suburbs
Clearer edge on lifestyle fit (score gap ≥ 3)
Who each suburb suits — composite scores out of 100
Side-by-side scores for every compared metric.
Exact figures for every metric — winner highlighted in bold.
| Category | Adelaide | Pakenham |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 54.3/100 | 46.8/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 47.8/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Crime rate | 362.0 / 1k | 81.1 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | 10 | 4 |
| Weather (desirability) | 37.3/100 | 82.3/100 |
| Parks & reserves | — | 24 |
| Public transport stops | 274 | 258 |
| Walkability | 100.0/100 | 100.0/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 4,860 | 488 |
| Planning activity | 447 | 494 |
| Green cover | 27.6% | 4.4% |
| Population | 18,202 | 54,118 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 9/10 | 4/10 |
Across states, Adelaide is a well-serviced metro established suburb with plenty happening nearby, whereas Pakenham is a well-serviced metro larger suburb with plenty happening nearby. Adelaide sits closer to the city centre, whereas Pakenham is in a middle-ring position.
Adelaide tends to lead on schools and education options, public transport access, and nearby cafés and amenities, while Pakenham stands out for housing affordability, a quieter safety profile, and overall desirability. On housing, Adelaide sits in a expensive band, compared with a gently premium feel in Pakenham.
On balance, investors and value-focused buyers are more likely to prefer Pakenham, while Adelaide remains a solid alternative depending on what matters most day to day.
Generated from the official metrics on this page. It can omit nuance or contain errors — check the tables and source notes before relying on it.