Overall score
Bendigo
57.5/100
Castlemaine
65.4/100
Bendigo vs Castlemaine, VIC Suburb Comparison
Bendigo for retirees; Castlemaine for investment and value.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Visual comparison
BendigoCastlemaine
Crime rate
Bendigo
645.7 / 1k
Castlemaine
97.8 / 1k
Nearby amenities
Bendigo
860
Castlemaine
384
Population
Bendigo
5,652
Castlemaine
7,506
Metric leadBendigo 3Castlemaine 63 tiedacross 12 compared metrics
Livability profile
Desirability pillars scored 0–100 vs comparable suburbs
Quick verdicts
Clearer edge on lifestyle fit (score gap ≥ 3)
- Best for retireesBendigo
- Best for investmentCastlemaine
- Best for best valueCastlemaine
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 | Bendigo | Castlemaine |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 57.5/100 | 65.4/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 61.3/100 | 71.1/100 |
| Crime rate | 645.7 / 1k | 97.8 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | 11 | 4 |
| Weather (desirability) | 53.4/100 | 53.4/100 |
| Parks & reserves | 10 | 16 |
| Public transport stops | 82 | 45 |
| Walkability | 100.0/100 | 100.0/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 860 | 384 |
| Planning activity | 309 | — |
| Green cover | 7.7% | 18.3% |
| Population | 5,652 | 7,506 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 5/10 | 5/10 |
Comparison summary
Bendigo is a regional hub with its own identity and everyday convenience, while Castlemaine is a regional hub with its own identity and everyday convenience.
On the data, Bendigo is stronger for schools and education options, public transport access, and nearby cafés and amenities; Castlemaine answers with housing affordability, a quieter safety profile, and parks and reserves. Bendigo generally means more approachable mid-market housing, while Castlemaine leans toward more mid-market housing value.
On balance, retirees, investors, and households prioritising schools are more likely to prefer Bendigo, while Castlemaine 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.