Overall score
Bell Park
59.6/100
Drumcondra
49.2/100
Bell Park for investment; Drumcondra for retirees and families.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Overall score
Bell Park
59.6/100
Drumcondra
49.2/100
Crime rate
Bell Park
95.6 / 1k
Drumcondra
62.9 / 1k
Nearby amenities
Bell Park
144
Drumcondra
38
Population
Bell Park
5,602
Drumcondra
571
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 | Bell Park | Drumcondra |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 59.6/100 | 49.2/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 68.4/100 | 76.6/100 |
| Crime rate | 95.6 / 1k | 62.9 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | 8 | 5 |
| Parks & reserves | 2 | 1 |
| Public transport stops | 26 | 4 |
| Walkability | 100.0/100 | 6.0/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 144 | 38 |
| Planning activity | 48 | 16 |
| Population | 5,602 | 571 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 3/10 | 10/10 |
Put side by side, Bell Park is a well-serviced metro mid-sized suburb with plenty happening nearby, and Drumcondra is a coastal smaller community with an easy, sea-led rhythm. Where Drumcondra is shaped by the coast, Bell Park offers a more landlocked suburban rhythm.
Bell Park pulls ahead on schools and education options and parks and reserves, whereas Drumcondra is the better pick for housing affordability and a quieter safety profile. Bell Park generally means more approachable housing costs, while Drumcondra leans toward more sought-after housing.
Choose Bell Park if you are weighing investors; lean toward Drumcondra for retirees and families.