Overall score
Barongarook
34.6/100
Forrest
20.9/100
Barongarook vs Forrest, VIC suburb comparison
Barongarook for retirees and families; Forrest for schools.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Visual comparison
BarongarookForrest
Crime rate
Barongarook
23.8 / 1k
Forrest
51.4 / 1k
Nearby amenities
Barongarook
2
Forrest
4
Population
Barongarook
458
Forrest
257
Metric leadBarongarook 4Forrest 22 tiedacross 8 compared metrics
Livability profile
Desirability pillars scored 0–100 vs comparable suburbs
Quick verdicts
Clearer edge on lifestyle fit (score gap ≥ 3)
- Best for retireesBarongarook
- Best for familiesBarongarook
- Best for investmentBarongarook
- Best for best valueBarongarook
- Best for best schoolsForrest
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 | Barongarook | Forrest |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 34.6/100 | 20.9/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 45.0/100 | 2.6/100 |
| Crime rate | 23.8 / 1k | 51.4 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | — | 1 |
| Parks & reserves | — | 3 |
| Public transport stops | — | 2 |
| Walkability | 0.0/100 | 3.0/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 2 | 4 |
| Planning activity | 4 | 4 |
| Population | 458 | 257 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 6/10 | 6/10 |
Comparison summary
Barongarook is a more rural smaller community that rewards people who want room to breathe, while Forrest is a quieter smaller community with space and a country-town pace.
On the data, Barongarook is stronger for housing affordability and a quieter safety profile; Forrest answers with walkability and nearby cafés and amenities.
Barongarook suits retirees and families more clearly, whereas Forrest is the stronger match for households prioritising schools.