Overall score
Balwyn North
62.5/100
Kew East
66.9/100
Balwyn North for investment; Kew East for retirees and value.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Overall score
Balwyn North
62.5/100
Kew East
66.9/100
Crime rate
Balwyn North
33.6 / 1k
Kew East
42.8 / 1k
Nearby amenities
Balwyn North
720
Kew East
322
Population
Balwyn North
21,302
Kew East
6,620
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 | Balwyn North | Kew East |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 62.5/100 | 66.9/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 31.4/100 | 40.2/100 |
| Crime rate | 33.6 / 1k | 42.8 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | 8 | 7 |
| Weather (desirability) | 82.3/100 | 82.3/100 |
| Parks & reserves | 11 | 5 |
| Public transport stops | 108 | 42 |
| Walkability | 100.0/100 | 92.0/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 720 | 322 |
| Planning activity | 158 | 82 |
| Green cover | 10.7% | 16.9% |
| Population | 21,302 | 6,620 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 10/10 | 10/10 |
Balwyn North is a lively metro established suburb with dining and everyday convenience close by, while Kew East is an energetic metro mid-sized suburb where cafés and local life overlap. Balwyn North sits in a middle-ring position, whereas Kew East is closer to the city centre.
On the data, Balwyn North is stronger for a quieter safety profile, schools and education options, and parks and reserves; Kew East answers with housing affordability and a calmer planning outlook.
Families and households prioritising schools may find Balwyn North the better fit, while investors and value-focused buyers are more likely to prefer Kew East.
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.