Overall score
Barnawartha
40.5/100
Rutherglen
44.2/100
Barnawartha vs Rutherglen, VIC suburb comparison
Barnawartha for retirees and families; Rutherglen for schools.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Visual comparison
BarnawarthaRutherglen
Crime rate
Barnawartha
28.9 / 1k
Rutherglen
53.3 / 1k
Nearby amenities
Barnawartha
0
Rutherglen
4
Population
Barnawartha
987
Rutherglen
2,579
Metric leadBarnawartha 3Rutherglen 8across 11 compared metrics
Livability profile
Desirability pillars scored 0–100 vs comparable suburbs
Quick verdicts
Clearer edge on lifestyle fit (score gap ≥ 3)
- Best for retireesBarnawartha
- Best for familiesBarnawartha
- Best for investmentBarnawartha
- Best for best schoolsRutherglen
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 | Barnawartha | Rutherglen |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 40.5/100 | 44.2/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 68.9/100 | 69.8/100 |
| Crime rate | 28.9 / 1k | 53.3 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | 1 | 3 |
| Parks & reserves | 3 | 8 |
| Public transport stops | 1 | 4 |
| Walkability | 1.5/100 | 8.0/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 0 | 4 |
| Planning activity | 40 | 113 |
| Population | 987 | 2,579 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 5/10 | 3/10 |
Comparison summary
Put side by side, Barnawartha is a slower-paced smaller community with open surrounds, and Rutherglen is a slower-paced mid-sized suburb with open surrounds.
On the data, Barnawartha is stronger for a quieter safety profile and a calmer planning outlook; Rutherglen answers with housing affordability and schools and education options. Barnawartha generally means more mid-market housing value, while Rutherglen leans toward more approachable housing costs.
Choose Barnawartha if you are weighing retirees and families; lean toward Rutherglen for households prioritising schools.