Balnarring vs Merricks North, VIC suburb comparison
Which suburb suits you better?
Side-by-side comparison of 16 categories from official government and open data.
| Category | Balnarring | Merricks North |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 40.4/100 | 33.9/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 14.5/100 | 2.6/100 |
| Crime rate | 45.6 / 1k | 73.3 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | 1 | — |
| Parks & reserves | 8 | 1 |
| Public transport stops | 5 | — |
| Walkability | 7.5/100 | 0.0/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 15 | 5 |
| Planning activity | 68 | 34 |
| Population | 2,371 | 423 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 10/10 | 10/10 |
Quick verdicts
- Best for retireesBalnarring
- Best for familiesBalnarring
- Best for investmentBalnarring
- Best for best valueBalnarring
- Best for best schoolsBalnarring
Comparison summary
Put side by side, Balnarring is a well-connected metro smaller community with a familiar suburban feel, and Merricks North is a hillside smaller community with greener streets and a quieter pace. Merricks North sits among greener hillside streets, while Balnarring keeps a flatter suburban layout.
Balnarring pulls ahead on housing affordability and a quieter safety profile, whereas Merricks North is the better pick for a calmer planning outlook.
On balance, retirees and families are more likely to prefer Balnarring, while Merricks North remains a solid alternative depending on what matters most day to day.