Overall score
Buninyong
58.7/100
Durham Lead
30.4/100
Buninyong for retirees and families.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Overall score
Buninyong
58.7/100
Durham Lead
30.4/100
Crime rate
Buninyong
38.7 / 1k
Durham Lead
16.7 / 1k
Nearby amenities
Buninyong
61
Durham Lead
1
Population
Buninyong
3,797
Durham Lead
408
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 | Buninyong | Durham Lead |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 58.7/100 | 30.4/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 68.4/100 | 47.7/100 |
| Crime rate | 38.7 / 1k | 16.7 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | 1 | — |
| Parks & reserves | 12 | 1 |
| Public transport stops | 18 | — |
| Walkability | 71.0/100 | 0.0/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 61 | 1 |
| Planning activity | 65 | 21 |
| Population | 3,797 | 408 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 9/10 | 7/10 |
Buninyong reads as a regional mid-sized suburb that feels self-contained without feeling remote; Durham Lead is a quieter smaller community with space and a country-town pace.
Buninyong tends to lead on housing affordability and parks and reserves, while Durham Lead stands out for a quieter safety profile and a calmer planning outlook. Buninyong generally means more sought-after housing, while Durham Lead leans toward more mid-market housing value.
On balance, retirees and families are more likely to prefer Buninyong, while Durham Lead remains a solid alternative depending on what matters most day to day.