Overall score
Alexandria
62.9/100
Darlington
46.0/100
Alexandria for retirees and investment; Darlington for families and schools.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Overall score
Alexandria
62.9/100
Darlington
46.0/100
Crime rate
Alexandria
88.6 / 1k
Darlington
73.8 / 1k
Nearby amenities
Alexandria
600
Darlington
214
Population
Alexandria
9,649
Darlington
2,597
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 | Alexandria | Darlington |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 62.9/100 | 46.0/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 13.5/100 | 2.7/100 |
| Crime rate | 88.6 / 1k | 73.8 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | 16 | 28 |
| Parks & reserves | 10 | 4 |
| Public transport stops | 129 | 7 |
| Walkability | 100.0/100 | 65.5/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 600 | 214 |
| Planning activity | 73 | 14 |
| Population | 9,649 | 2,597 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 10/10 | 10/10 |
Alexandria reads as an energetic metro established suburb where cafés and local life overlap; Darlington is a lively metro mid-sized suburb with dining and everyday convenience close by.
On the data, Alexandria is stronger for housing affordability and parks and reserves; Darlington answers with a quieter safety profile and a calmer planning outlook.
On balance, retirees and families are more likely to prefer Alexandria, while Darlington remains a solid alternative depending on what matters most day to day.