Overall score
Belconnen
61.8/100
Melba
59.8/100
Belconnen for retirees; Melba for families and investment.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Overall score
Belconnen
61.8/100
Melba
59.8/100
Crime rate
Belconnen
83.8 / 1k
Melba
12.6 / 1k
Nearby amenities
Belconnen
1,307
Melba
120
Population
Belconnen
8,502
Melba
3,383
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 | Belconnen | Melba |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 61.8/100 | 59.8/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 53.9/100 | 59.3/100 |
| Crime rate | 83.8 / 1k | 12.6 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | 4 | 6 |
| Weather (desirability) | 51.2/100 | 51.2/100 |
| Parks & reserves | 9 | — |
| Walkability | 100.0/100 | 61.0/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 1,307 | 120 |
| Planning activity | 5 | 3 |
| Green cover | 25.7% | 20.3% |
| Population | 8,502 | 3,383 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 9/10 | 9/10 |
Belconnen is an energetic metro established suburb where cafés and local life overlap, while Melba is an energetic metro mid-sized suburb where cafés and local life overlap. Belconnen sits closer to the city centre, whereas Melba is in a middle-ring position.
On the data, Belconnen is stronger for walkability, nearby cafés and amenities, and overall desirability; Melba answers with housing affordability, a quieter safety profile, and schools and education options.
On balance, retirees, families, investors, and value-focused buyers are more likely to prefer Melba, while Belconnen remains a solid alternative depending on what matters most day to day.
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.