Overall score
Bolwarra
36.7/100
Maitland Vale
34.6/100
Bolwarra for families and schools; Maitland Vale for investment.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Overall score
Bolwarra
36.7/100
Maitland Vale
34.6/100
Crime rate
Bolwarra
95.4 / 1k
Maitland Vale
94.6 / 1k
Nearby amenities
Bolwarra
44
Maitland Vale
1
Population
Bolwarra
1,350
Maitland Vale
281
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 | Bolwarra | Maitland Vale |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 36.7/100 | 34.6/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 76.1/100 | 83.2/100 |
| Crime rate | 95.4 / 1k | 94.6 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | 1 | — |
| Parks & reserves | 1 | — |
| Public transport stops | 32 | 6 |
| Walkability | 30.0/100 | 9.0/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 44 | 1 |
| Planning activity | 14 | 8 |
| Population | 1,350 | 281 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 9/10 | 9/10 |
Bolwarra is a well-connected metro smaller community with a familiar suburban feel, while Maitland Vale is a slower-paced smaller community with open surrounds. Bolwarra sits in a middle-ring position, whereas Maitland Vale is more regionally self-contained.
Bolwarra tends to lead on a quieter safety profile and public transport access, while Maitland Vale stands out for housing affordability and a calmer planning outlook.
Families and households prioritising schools may find Bolwarra the better fit, while investors are more likely to prefer Maitland Vale.