Overall score
Arcadia
50.2/100
Hornsby Heights
42.0/100
Arcadia for retirees and families; Hornsby Heights for investment.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Overall score
Arcadia
50.2/100
Hornsby Heights
42.0/100
Crime rate
Arcadia
16.6 / 1k
Hornsby Heights
65.9 / 1k
Nearby amenities
Arcadia
14
Hornsby Heights
103
Population
Arcadia
1,475
Hornsby Heights
6,354
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 | Arcadia | Hornsby Heights |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 50.2/100 | 42.0/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 44.3/100 | 42.0/100 |
| Crime rate | 16.6 / 1k | 65.9 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | 1 | 1 |
| Parks & reserves | — | 6 |
| Public transport stops | 59 | 112 |
| Walkability | 30.0/100 | 30.0/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 14 | 103 |
| Planning activity | 6 | 17 |
| Population | 1,475 | 6,354 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 10/10 | 10/10 |
Arcadia reads as a quieter smaller community with space and a country-town pace; Hornsby Heights is a hillside mid-sized suburb with greener streets and a quieter pace. Hornsby Heights sits among greener hillside streets, while Arcadia keeps a flatter suburban layout.
Arcadia tends to lead on housing affordability and a quieter safety profile, while Hornsby Heights stands out for public transport access and nearby cafés and amenities.
Arcadia suits retirees and families more clearly, whereas Hornsby Heights is the stronger match for investors.