Overall score
Bella Vista
61.3/100
Castle Hill
77.3/100
Castle Hill for retirees and families.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Overall score
Bella Vista
61.3/100
Castle Hill
77.3/100
Crime rate
Bella Vista
22.1 / 1k
Castle Hill
32.1 / 1k
Nearby amenities
Bella Vista
234
Castle Hill
530
Population
Bella Vista
8,384
Castle Hill
40,874
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 | Bella Vista | Castle Hill |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 61.3/100 | 77.3/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 26.2/100 | 37.8/100 |
| Crime rate | 22.1 / 1k | 32.1 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | 2 | 8 |
| Parks & reserves | 5 | 28 |
| Public transport stops | 120 | 497 |
| Walkability | 100.0/100 | 100.0/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 234 | 530 |
| Planning activity | 17 | 124 |
| Population | 8,384 | 40,874 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 10/10 | 10/10 |
Bella Vista reads as a well-serviced metro established suburb with plenty happening nearby; Castle Hill is an energetic metro larger suburb where cafés and local life overlap.
Bella Vista pulls ahead on a quieter safety profile and a calmer planning outlook, whereas Castle Hill is the better pick for housing affordability and schools and education options.
On balance, retirees and families are more likely to prefer Castle Hill, while Bella Vista remains a solid alternative depending on what matters most day to day.