Overall score
Ballarat North
55.5/100
Lake Wendouree
47.8/100
Ballarat North for investment and value; Lake Wendouree for retirees and families.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Overall score
Ballarat North
55.5/100
Lake Wendouree
47.8/100
Crime rate
Ballarat North
87.8 / 1k
Lake Wendouree
80.4 / 1k
Nearby amenities
Ballarat North
59
Lake Wendouree
254
Population
Ballarat North
4,041
Lake Wendouree
2,878
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 North | Lake Wendouree |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 55.5/100 | 47.8/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 78.8/100 | 31.9/100 |
| Crime rate | 87.8 / 1k | 80.4 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | 4 | 10 |
| Parks & reserves | 4 | 3 |
| Public transport stops | 20 | 20 |
| Walkability | 80.0/100 | 44.0/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 59 | 254 |
| Planning activity | 30 | 70 |
| Population | 4,041 | 2,878 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 5/10 | 10/10 |
Ballarat North is a regional hub with its own identity and everyday convenience, while Lake Wendouree is a regional mid-sized suburb with local services and a more relaxed pace.
Ballarat North tends to lead on housing affordability and parks and reserves, while Lake Wendouree stands out for a quieter safety profile and schools and education options. On housing, Ballarat North sits in a well priced band, compared with a expensive feel in Lake Wendouree.
Investors and value-focused buyers may find Ballarat North the better fit, while retirees and families are more likely to prefer Lake Wendouree.