Overall score
Apollo Bay
34.9/100
Marengo
20.2/100
Apollo Bay for beach lifestyle and investment; Marengo for retirees.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Overall score
Apollo Bay
34.9/100
Marengo
20.2/100
Crime rate
Apollo Bay
69.8 / 1k
Marengo
30.4 / 1k
Nearby amenities
Apollo Bay
6
Marengo
11
Population
Apollo Bay
1,790
Marengo
272
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 | Apollo Bay | Marengo |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 34.9/100 | 20.2/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 44.1/100 | 10.6/100 |
| Crime rate | 69.8 / 1k | 30.4 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | 1 | — |
| Parks & reserves | 5 | 1 |
| Public transport stops | 8 | 2 |
| Walkability | 12.0/100 | 3.0/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 6 | 11 |
| Planning activity | 22 | 4 |
| Population | 1,790 | 272 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 4/10 | 7/10 |
Put side by side, Apollo Bay is a coastal smaller community with an easy, sea-led rhythm, and Marengo is a coastal smaller community with an easy, sea-led rhythm.
Apollo Bay pulls ahead on housing affordability and a quieter safety profile, whereas Marengo is the better pick for nearby cafés and amenities and a calmer planning outlook.
Choose Apollo Bay if you are weighing families and people chasing a beach lifestyle; lean toward Marengo for retirees.