Overall score
Ballarat Central
55.2/100
Lake Gardens
46.7/100
Ballarat Central vs Lake Gardens, VIC Suburb Comparison
Ballarat Central for retirees; Lake Gardens for families and investment.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Visual comparison
Ballarat CentralLake Gardens
Crime rate
Ballarat Central
598.1 / 1k
Lake Gardens
119.7 / 1k
Nearby amenities
Ballarat Central
840
Lake Gardens
38
Population
Ballarat Central
5,378
Lake Gardens
1,801
Metric leadBallarat Central 5Lake Gardens 52 tiedacross 12 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 investmentLake Gardens
- Best for best valueLake 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 | 55.2/100 | 46.7/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 64.0/100 | 73.3/100 |
| Crime rate | 598.1 / 1k | 119.7 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | 8 | 8 |
| Weather (desirability) | 82.3/100 | 82.3/100 |
| Parks & reserves | — | 2 |
| Public transport stops | 63 | 7 |
| Walkability | 100.0/100 | 10.5/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 840 | 38 |
| Planning activity | 234 | 9 |
| Green cover | 3.1% | 4.4% |
| 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, walkability, and nearby cafés and amenities, whereas Lake Gardens is the better pick for housing affordability, a quieter safety profile, and a calmer planning outlook.
Choose Ballarat Central if you are weighing retirees, investors, and value-focused buyers; lean toward Lake Gardens for families and households prioritising schools.
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.