Overall score
Balaclava
50.8/100
Middle Park
62.5/100
Balaclava vs Middle Park, VIC Suburb Comparison
Balaclava for investment; Middle Park for retirees and families.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Visual comparison
BalaclavaMiddle Park
Crime rate
Balaclava
141.8 / 1k
Middle Park
78.3 / 1k
Nearby amenities
Balaclava
81
Middle Park
118
Population
Balaclava
5,392
Middle Park
4,000
Metric leadBalaclava 5Middle Park 62 tiedacross 13 compared metrics
Livability profile
Desirability pillars scored 0–100 vs comparable suburbs
Quick verdicts
Clearer edge on lifestyle fit (score gap ≥ 3)
- Best for retireesMiddle Park
- Best for familiesMiddle Park
- Best for beach lifestyleMiddle Park
- Best for investmentBalaclava
- Best for best valueMiddle Park
- Best for best schoolsMiddle Park
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 | Balaclava | Middle Park |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 50.8/100 | 62.5/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 48.8/100 | 59.0/100 |
| Crime rate | 141.8 / 1k | 78.3 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | 18 | 10 |
| Weather (desirability) | 82.3/100 | 82.3/100 |
| Parks & reserves | 2 | 3 |
| Public transport stops | 20 | 23 |
| Walkability | 100.0/100 | 94.0/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 81 | 118 |
| Planning activity | 83 | 122 |
| Green cover | 1.4% | 0.7% |
| Population | 5,392 | 4,000 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 10/10 | 10/10 |
Comparison summary
Balaclava is a well-serviced metro mid-sized suburb with plenty happening nearby, while Middle Park is a coastal mid-sized suburb with an easy, sea-led rhythm. Middle Park leans into coastal living, while Balaclava feels more inland and suburban in character.
Balaclava tends to lead on schools and education options, walkability, and a calmer planning outlook, while Middle Park stands out for a quieter safety profile, parks and reserves, and public transport access.
On balance, retirees, families, people chasing a beach lifestyle, investors, and value-focused buyers are more likely to prefer Middle Park, while Balaclava remains a solid alternative depending on what matters most day to day.
Generated from the official metrics on this page. It can omit nuance or contain errors — check the tables and source notes before relying on it.