Overall score
Albert Park
65.1/100
Balaclava
50.8/100
Albert Park for retirees and families.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Overall score
Albert Park
65.1/100
Balaclava
50.8/100
Crime rate
Albert Park
131.0 / 1k
Balaclava
141.8 / 1k
Nearby amenities
Albert Park
419
Balaclava
81
Population
Albert Park
6,044
Balaclava
5,392
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 | Albert Park | Balaclava |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 65.1/100 | 50.8/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 60.9/100 | 48.8/100 |
| Crime rate | 131.0 / 1k | 141.8 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | 14 | 18 |
| Weather (desirability) | 82.3/100 | 82.3/100 |
| Parks & reserves | 9 | 2 |
| Public transport stops | 29 | 20 |
| Walkability | 100.0/100 | 100.0/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 419 | 81 |
| Planning activity | 207 | 83 |
| Green cover | 51.2% | 1.4% |
| Population | 6,044 | 5,392 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 10/10 | 10/10 |
Put side by side, Albert Park is a coastal mid-sized suburb shaped by beach life and outdoor living, and Balaclava is a well-serviced metro mid-sized suburb with plenty happening nearby. Albert Park leans into coastal living, while Balaclava feels more inland and suburban in character.
On the data, Albert Park is stronger for housing affordability, a quieter safety profile, and parks and reserves; Balaclava answers with schools and education options, plus a calmer planning outlook.
On balance, retirees, families, people chasing a beach lifestyle, investors, value-focused buyers, and households prioritising schools are more likely to prefer Albert Park, while Balaclava 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.