Overall score
Ashton
51.5/100
Forest Range
35.7/100
Ashton for retirees and families.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Overall score
Ashton
51.5/100
Forest Range
35.7/100
Crime rate
Ashton
8.0 / 1k
Forest Range
16.3 / 1k
Nearby amenities
Ashton
8
Forest Range
1
Population
Ashton
481
Forest Range
290
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 | Ashton | Forest Range |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 51.5/100 | 35.7/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 47.2/100 | 22.3/100 |
| Crime rate | 8.0 / 1k | 16.3 / 1k |
| Walkability | 2.0/100 | 0.0/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 8 | 1 |
| Planning activity | 8 | 6 |
| Population | 481 | 290 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 10/10 | 9/10 |
Ashton reads as a hillside smaller community with greener streets and a quieter pace; Forest Range is a hillside smaller community with greener streets and a quieter pace. Ashton sits in a middle-ring position, whereas Forest Range is within day-trip reach of the capital.
Ashton tends to lead on housing affordability and a quieter safety profile, while Forest Range stands out for a calmer planning outlook.
On balance, retirees and families are more likely to prefer Ashton, while Forest Range remains a solid alternative depending on what matters most day to day.