Overall score
Ascot Vale
67.5/100
Essendon North
45.7/100
Ascot Vale vs Essendon North, VIC suburb comparison
Ascot Vale for retirees and families.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Visual comparison
Ascot ValeEssendon North
Crime rate
Ascot Vale
121.4 / 1k
Essendon North
100.3 / 1k
Nearby amenities
Ascot Vale
557
Essendon North
86
Population
Ascot Vale
15,197
Essendon North
3,071
Metric leadAscot Vale 8Essendon North 21 tiedacross 11 compared metrics
Livability profile
Desirability pillars scored 0–100 vs comparable suburbs
Quick verdicts
Clearer edge on lifestyle fit (score gap ≥ 3)
- Best for retireesAscot Vale
- Best for familiesAscot Vale
- Best for investmentAscot Vale
- Best for best valueAscot Vale
- Best for best schoolsAscot Vale
Audience fit
Who each suburb suits — composite scores out of 100
All metrics
Side-by-side scores for every compared metric.
Full comparison table
Exact figures for every metric — winner highlighted in bold.
| Category | Ascot Vale | Essendon North |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 67.5/100 | 45.7/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 19.4/100 | 16.0/100 |
| Crime rate | 121.4 / 1k | 100.3 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | 11 | 9 |
| Parks & reserves | 12 | 2 |
| Public transport stops | 74 | 13 |
| Walkability | 100.0/100 | 40.5/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 557 | 86 |
| Planning activity | 219 | 27 |
| Population | 15,197 | 3,071 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 9/10 | 9/10 |
Comparison summary
Put side by side, Ascot Vale is an energetic metro established suburb where cafés and local life overlap, and Essendon North is a well-serviced metro mid-sized suburb with plenty happening nearby.
Ascot Vale pulls ahead on housing affordability and a quieter safety profile, whereas Essendon North is the better pick for a calmer planning outlook.
On balance, retirees and families are more likely to prefer Ascot Vale, while Essendon North remains a solid alternative depending on what matters most day to day.