Overall score
California Gully
51.6/100
North Bendigo
51.0/100
California Gully for investment and value; North Bendigo for retirees and families.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Overall score
California Gully
51.6/100
North Bendigo
51.0/100
Crime rate
California Gully
128.2 / 1k
North Bendigo
105.7 / 1k
Nearby amenities
California Gully
111
North Bendigo
77
Population
California Gully
4,476
North Bendigo
4,277
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 | California Gully | North Bendigo |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 51.6/100 | 51.0/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 88.3/100 | 77.0/100 |
| Crime rate | 128.2 / 1k | 105.7 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | 6 | 7 |
| Parks & reserves | 2 | 2 |
| Public transport stops | 24 | 34 |
| Walkability | 36.0/100 | 47.0/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 111 | 77 |
| Planning activity | 43 | 56 |
| Population | 4,476 | 4,277 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 1/10 | 2/10 |
Put side by side, California Gully is a hillside mid-sized suburb with greener streets and a quieter pace, and North Bendigo is a regional mid-sized suburb that feels self-contained without feeling remote. California Gully sits among greener hillside streets, while North Bendigo keeps a flatter suburban layout.
California Gully tends to lead on housing affordability and nearby cafés and amenities, while North Bendigo stands out for a quieter safety profile and schools and education options.
California Gully suits investors and value-focused buyers more clearly, whereas North Bendigo is the stronger match for retirees and families.