Overall score
Buninyong
58.7/100
Mount Helen
53.5/100
Buninyong vs Mount Helen, VIC suburb comparison
Buninyong for families and schools; Mount Helen for investment.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Visual comparison
BuninyongMount Helen
Crime rate
Buninyong
38.7 / 1k
Mount Helen
33.0 / 1k
Nearby amenities
Buninyong
61
Mount Helen
78
Population
Buninyong
3,797
Mount Helen
3,011
Metric leadBuninyong 5Mount Helen 51 tiedacross 11 compared metrics
Livability profile
Desirability pillars scored 0–100 vs comparable suburbs
Quick verdicts
Clearer edge on lifestyle fit (score gap ≥ 3)
- Best for familiesBuninyong
- Best for investmentMount Helen
- Best for best schoolsBuninyong
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 | Buninyong | Mount Helen |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 58.7/100 | 53.5/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 68.4/100 | 78.5/100 |
| Crime rate | 38.7 / 1k | 33.0 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | 1 | 1 |
| Parks & reserves | 12 | 1 |
| Public transport stops | 18 | 19 |
| Walkability | 71.0/100 | 32.5/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 61 | 78 |
| Planning activity | 65 | 30 |
| Population | 3,797 | 3,011 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 9/10 | 8/10 |
Comparison summary
Buninyong reads as a regional mid-sized suburb that feels self-contained without feeling remote; Mount Helen is a hillside mid-sized suburb with greener streets and a quieter pace. Mount Helen sits among greener hillside streets, while Buninyong keeps a flatter suburban layout.
On the data, Buninyong is stronger for a quieter safety profile and parks and reserves; Mount Helen answers with housing affordability and public transport access. On housing, Buninyong sits in a expensive band, compared with a well priced feel in Mount Helen.
Buninyong suits families and households prioritising schools more clearly, whereas Mount Helen is the stronger match for investors.