Overall score
California Gully
51.6/100
West Bendigo
32.2/100
California Gully vs West Bendigo, VIC suburb comparison
California Gully for families and investment; West Bendigo for retirees.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Visual comparison
California GullyWest Bendigo
Crime rate
California Gully
128.2 / 1k
West Bendigo
147.4 / 1k
Nearby amenities
California Gully
111
West Bendigo
187
Population
California Gully
4,476
West Bendigo
378
Metric leadCalifornia Gully 8West Bendigo 3across 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 retireesWest Bendigo
- Best for familiesCalifornia Gully
- Best for investmentCalifornia Gully
- Best for best valueCalifornia Gully
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 | California Gully | West Bendigo |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 51.6/100 | 32.2/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 88.3/100 | 48.7/100 |
| Crime rate | 128.2 / 1k | 147.4 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | 6 | 2 |
| Parks & reserves | 2 | 1 |
| Public transport stops | 24 | 3 |
| Walkability | 36.0/100 | 6.5/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 111 | 187 |
| Planning activity | 43 | 14 |
| Population | 4,476 | 378 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 1/10 | 2/10 |
Comparison summary
California Gully is a hillside mid-sized suburb with greener streets and a quieter pace, while West Bendigo is a regional hub with its own identity and everyday convenience. California Gully sits among greener hillside streets, while West Bendigo keeps a flatter suburban layout.
California Gully pulls ahead on housing affordability and schools and education options, whereas West Bendigo is the better pick for a quieter safety profile and nearby cafés and amenities.
Investors and value-focused buyers may find California Gully the better fit, while retirees and families are more likely to prefer West Bendigo.