Overall score
Balmain East
61.0/100
Lilyfield
60.4/100
Balmain East vs Lilyfield, NSW Suburb Comparison
Balmain East for families and investment; Lilyfield for retirees and value.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Visual comparison
Balmain EastLilyfield
Crime rate
Balmain East
60.2 / 1k
Lilyfield
51.8 / 1k
Nearby amenities
Balmain East
101
Lilyfield
163
Population
Balmain East
1,900
Lilyfield
7,641
Metric leadBalmain East 4Lilyfield 72 tiedacross 13 compared metrics
Livability profile
Desirability pillars scored 0–100 vs comparable suburbs
Quick verdicts
Clearer edge on lifestyle fit (score gap ≥ 3)
- Best for retireesLilyfield
- Best for familiesBalmain East
- Best for investmentBalmain East
- Best for best valueLilyfield
- Best for best schoolsLilyfield
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 | Balmain East | Lilyfield |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 61.0/100 | 60.4/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 49.3/100 | 46.9/100 |
| Crime rate | 60.2 / 1k | 51.8 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | 8 | 15 |
| Weather (desirability) | 82.3/100 | 82.3/100 |
| Parks & reserves | 10 | 6 |
| Public transport stops | 12 | 39 |
| Walkability | 45.0/100 | 71.0/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 101 | 163 |
| Planning activity | 18 | 46 |
| Green cover | 15.2% | 34.4% |
| Population | 1,900 | 7,641 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 10/10 | 10/10 |
Comparison summary
Balmain East reads as an energetic metro smaller community where cafés and local life overlap; Lilyfield is a well-serviced metro mid-sized suburb with plenty happening nearby.
On the data, Balmain East is stronger for parks and reserves, plus a calmer planning outlook; Lilyfield answers with housing affordability, a quieter safety profile, and schools and education options.
On balance, families, value-focused buyers, and households prioritising schools are more likely to prefer Lilyfield, while Balmain East remains a solid alternative depending on what matters most day to day.
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.