Overall score
Arcadia Vale
36.4/100
Rathmines
45.7/100
Arcadia Vale for retirees; Rathmines for investment and value.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Overall score
Arcadia Vale
36.4/100
Rathmines
45.7/100
Crime rate
Arcadia Vale
81.1 / 1k
Rathmines
80.9 / 1k
Nearby amenities
Arcadia Vale
26
Rathmines
34
Population
Arcadia Vale
1,431
Rathmines
2,076
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 Vale | Rathmines |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 36.4/100 | 45.7/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 50.4/100 | 74.0/100 |
| Crime rate | 81.1 / 1k | 80.9 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | 2 | 3 |
| Parks & reserves | 3 | 1 |
| Public transport stops | 31 | 39 |
| Walkability | 30.0/100 | 63.0/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 26 | 34 |
| Planning activity | 9 | 11 |
| Population | 1,431 | 2,076 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 5/10 | 5/10 |
Arcadia Vale reads as a practical metro smaller community with solid links to the wider city; Rathmines is a settled metro smaller community that balances access with everyday calm.
Arcadia Vale tends to lead on a quieter safety profile and parks and reserves, while Rathmines stands out for housing affordability and public transport access.
Choose Arcadia Vale if you are weighing retirees and families; lean toward Rathmines for investors and value-focused buyers.