Overall score
Ballarat East
50.7/100
Nerrina
50.4/100
Ballarat East for retirees and investment; Nerrina for families.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Overall score
Ballarat East
50.7/100
Nerrina
50.4/100
Crime rate
Ballarat East
125.4 / 1k
Nerrina
47.1 / 1k
Nearby amenities
Ballarat East
130
Nerrina
12
Population
Ballarat East
5,937
Nerrina
970
Desirability pillars scored 0–100 vs comparable suburbs
Clearer edge on lifestyle fit (score gap ≥ 3)
Who each suburb suits — composite scores out of 100
Side-by-side scores for every compared metric.
Exact figures for every metric — winner highlighted in bold.
| Category | Ballarat East | Nerrina |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 50.7/100 | 50.4/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 75.9/100 | 62.4/100 |
| Crime rate | 125.4 / 1k | 47.1 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | 5 | 2 |
| Weather (desirability) | 82.3/100 | 82.3/100 |
| Parks & reserves | 5 | — |
| Public transport stops | 40 | — |
| Walkability | 84.0/100 | 0.0/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 130 | 12 |
| Planning activity | 118 | 9 |
| Green cover | 13.4% | 17.4% |
| Population | 5,937 | 970 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 3/10 | 10/10 |
Ballarat East reads as a regional hub with its own identity and everyday convenience; Nerrina is a slower-paced smaller community with open surrounds.
On the data, Ballarat East is stronger for housing affordability, schools and education options, and walkability; Nerrina answers with a quieter safety profile, a calmer planning outlook, and stronger socioeconomic advantage. Ballarat East generally means more approachable housing costs, while Nerrina leans toward more sought-after housing.
Investors, value-focused buyers, and households prioritising schools may find Ballarat East the better fit, while retirees are more likely to prefer Nerrina.
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.