Overall score
Austins Ferry
53.5/100
Chigwell
45.3/100
Austins Ferry for retirees and families.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Overall score
Austins Ferry
53.5/100
Chigwell
45.3/100
Crime rate
Austins Ferry
1494.6 / 1k
Chigwell
1796.3 / 1k
Nearby amenities
Austins Ferry
54
Chigwell
40
Population
Austins Ferry
2,395
Chigwell
2,050
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 | Austins Ferry | Chigwell |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 53.5/100 | 45.3/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 76.0/100 | 76.0/100 |
| Crime rate | 1494.6 / 1k | 1796.3 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | 3 | 2 |
| Parks & reserves | 5 | — |
| Public transport stops | 17 | 13 |
| Walkability | 27.5/100 | 19.5/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 54 | 40 |
| Population | 2,395 | 2,050 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 3/10 | 1/10 |
Put side by side, Austins Ferry is an energetic metro smaller community where cafés and local life overlap, and Chigwell is a leafier hillside smaller community with elevated outlooks. Chigwell sits among greener hillside streets, while Austins Ferry keeps a flatter suburban layout.
Austins Ferry tends to lead on a quieter safety profile and public transport access, while Chigwell stands out for relatively affordable housing and accessible rental prices.
On balance, retirees and families are more likely to prefer Austins Ferry, while Chigwell remains a solid alternative depending on what matters most day to day.