Overall score
Ashby Heights
31.5/100
Townsend
45.5/100
Ashby Heights vs Townsend, NSW suburb comparison
Townsend for retirees and families.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Visual comparison
Ashby HeightsTownsend
Crime rate
Ashby Heights
51.8 / 1k
Townsend
53.3 / 1k
Nearby amenities
Ashby Heights
0
Townsend
9
Population
Ashby Heights
292
Townsend
991
Metric leadAshby Heights 3Townsend 6across 9 compared metrics
Livability profile
Desirability pillars scored 0–100 vs comparable suburbs
Quick verdicts
Clearer edge on lifestyle fit (score gap ≥ 3)
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 | Ashby Heights | Townsend |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 31.5/100 | 45.5/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 74.6/100 | 82.6/100 |
| Crime rate | 51.8 / 1k | 53.3 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | — | 4 |
| Public transport stops | 11 | 16 |
| Walkability | 16.5/100 | 26.0/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 0 | 9 |
| Planning activity | 2 | 13 |
| Population | 292 | 991 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 3/10 | 1/10 |
Comparison summary
Ashby Heights is a hills smaller community where tree cover and calm define the mood, while Townsend is a more rural smaller community that rewards people who want room to breathe. Ashby Heights sits among greener hillside streets, while Townsend keeps a flatter suburban layout.
Ashby Heights pulls ahead on a quieter safety profile and a calmer planning outlook, whereas Townsend is the better pick for housing affordability and public transport access.
On balance, retirees and families are more likely to prefer Townsend, while Ashby Heights remains a solid alternative depending on what matters most day to day.