Overall score
Ballan
57.2/100
Dales Creek
39.5/100
Ballan vs Dales Creek, VIC suburb comparison
Ballan for retirees and families.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Visual comparison
BallanDales Creek
Crime rate
Ballan
78.1 / 1k
Dales Creek
56.2 / 1k
Nearby amenities
Ballan
45
Dales Creek
0
Population
Ballan
3,392
Dales Creek
403
Metric leadBallan 5Dales Creek 3across 8 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 | Ballan | Dales Creek |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 57.2/100 | 39.5/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 74.8/100 | 74.0/100 |
| Crime rate | 78.1 / 1k | 56.2 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | 2 | — |
| Parks & reserves | 8 | — |
| Public transport stops | 13 | — |
| Walkability | 79.5/100 | 0.0/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 45 | 0 |
| Planning activity | 79 | 7 |
| Population | 3,392 | 403 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 5/10 | 6/10 |
Comparison summary
Ballan reads as a hillside mid-sized suburb with greener streets and a quieter pace; Dales Creek is a more rural smaller community that rewards people who want room to breathe. Ballan sits among greener hillside streets, while Dales Creek keeps a flatter suburban layout.
Ballan pulls ahead on housing affordability and a quieter safety profile, whereas Dales Creek is the better pick for a calmer planning outlook and stronger socioeconomic advantage.
On balance, retirees and families are more likely to prefer Ballan, while Dales Creek remains a solid alternative depending on what matters most day to day.