Overall score
Ballarat Central
69.1/100
Lake Gardens
43.4/100
Ballarat Central vs Lake Gardens, VIC suburb comparison
Ballarat Central for retirees and investment; Lake Gardens for families and schools.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Visual comparison
Ballarat CentralLake Gardens
Crime rate
Ballarat Central
580.8 / 1k
Lake Gardens
119.1 / 1k
Nearby amenities
Ballarat Central
761
Lake Gardens
36
Population
Ballarat Central
5,378
Lake Gardens
1,801
Metric leadBallarat Central 5Lake Gardens 41 tiedacross 10 compared metrics
Livability profile
Desirability pillars scored 0–100 vs comparable suburbs
Quick verdicts
Clearer edge on lifestyle fit (score gap ≥ 3)
- Best for retireesBallarat Central
- Best for familiesLake Gardens
- Best for investmentBallarat Central
- Best for best valueBallarat Central
- Best for best schoolsLake Gardens
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 | Lake Gardens |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 69.1/100 | 43.4/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 54.9/100 | 73.6/100 |
| Crime rate | 580.8 / 1k | 119.1 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | 8 | 8 |
| Parks & reserves | — | 2 |
| Public transport stops | 63 | 7 |
| Walkability | 100.0/100 | 10.5/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 761 | 36 |
| Planning activity | 234 | 9 |
| Population | 5,378 | 1,801 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 7/10 | 8/10 |
Comparison summary
Put side by side, Ballarat Central is a regional mid-sized suburb with local services and a more relaxed pace, and Lake Gardens is a regional hub with its own identity and everyday convenience.
Ballarat Central pulls ahead on public transport access and walkability, whereas Lake Gardens is the better pick for housing affordability and a quieter safety profile.
Choose Ballarat Central if you are weighing retirees and investors; lean toward Lake Gardens for families and households prioritising schools.