Overall score
Barongarook West
34.2/100
Forrest
20.9/100
Barongarook West vs Forrest, VIC suburb comparison
Barongarook West for retirees and families; Forrest for schools.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Visual comparison
Barongarook WestForrest
Crime rate
Barongarook West
37.6 / 1k
Forrest
51.4 / 1k
Nearby amenities
Barongarook West
0
Forrest
4
Population
Barongarook West
291
Forrest
257
Metric leadBarongarook West 5Forrest 4across 9 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 West
- Best for familiesBarongarook West
- Best for investmentBarongarook West
- Best for best valueBarongarook West
- 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 West | Forrest |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 34.2/100 | 20.9/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 41.0/100 | 2.6/100 |
| Crime rate | 37.6 / 1k | 51.4 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | — | 1 |
| Parks & reserves | 1 | 3 |
| Public transport stops | — | 2 |
| Walkability | 0.0/100 | 3.0/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 0 | 4 |
| Planning activity | 1 | 4 |
| Population | 291 | 257 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 5/10 | 6/10 |
Comparison summary
Barongarook West reads as a quieter smaller community with space and a country-town pace; Forrest is a quieter smaller community with space and a country-town pace.
Barongarook West pulls ahead on housing affordability and a quieter safety profile, whereas Forrest is the better pick for parks and reserves and walkability.
Retirees and families may find Barongarook West the better fit, while households prioritising schools are more likely to prefer Forrest.