Overall score
Ballarat Central
55.2/100
Bendigo
57.5/100
Ballarat Central vs Bendigo, VIC Suburb Comparison
Bendigo for retirees and families.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Visual comparison
Ballarat CentralBendigo
Crime rate
Ballarat Central
598.1 / 1k
Bendigo
645.7 / 1k
Nearby amenities
Ballarat Central
840
Bendigo
860
Population
Ballarat Central
5,378
Bendigo
5,652
Metric leadBallarat Central 5Bendigo 61 tiedacross 12 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 | Ballarat Central | Bendigo |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 55.2/100 | 57.5/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 64.0/100 | 61.3/100 |
| Crime rate | 598.1 / 1k | 645.7 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | 8 | 11 |
| Weather (desirability) | 82.3/100 | 53.4/100 |
| Parks & reserves | — | 10 |
| Public transport stops | 63 | 82 |
| Walkability | 100.0/100 | 100.0/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 840 | 860 |
| Planning activity | 234 | 309 |
| Green cover | 3.1% | 7.7% |
| Population | 5,378 | 5,652 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 7/10 | 5/10 |
Comparison summary
Ballarat Central is a regional mid-sized suburb with local services and a more relaxed pace, while Bendigo is a regional hub with its own identity and everyday convenience.
Ballarat Central pulls ahead on a quieter safety profile, a calmer planning outlook, and stronger socioeconomic advantage, whereas Bendigo is the better pick for housing affordability, schools and education options, and public transport access. On housing, Ballarat Central sits in a gently premium band, compared with a approachable feel in Bendigo.
Investors may find Ballarat Central the better fit, while families, value-focused buyers, and households prioritising schools are more likely to prefer Bendigo.
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.