Overall score
Canada Bay
35.4/100
Russell Lea
43.6/100
Russell Lea for investment and value.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Overall score
Canada Bay
35.4/100
Russell Lea
43.6/100
Crime rate
Canada Bay
34.3 / 1k
Russell Lea
34.0 / 1k
Nearby amenities
Canada Bay
6
Russell Lea
33
Population
Canada Bay
1,308
Russell Lea
4,920
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 | Canada Bay | Russell Lea |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 35.4/100 | 43.6/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 20.3/100 | 20.8/100 |
| Crime rate | 34.3 / 1k | 34.0 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | 16 | 8 |
| Public transport stops | 8 | 31 |
| Walkability | 12.0/100 | 46.0/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 6 | 33 |
| Planning activity | 3 | 10 |
| Population | 1,308 | 4,920 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 10/10 | 10/10 |
Canada Bay reads as a settled metro smaller community that balances access with everyday calm; Russell Lea is a well-connected metro mid-sized suburb with a familiar suburban feel.
Canada Bay tends to lead on a calmer planning outlook, while Russell Lea stands out for housing affordability and public transport access.
On balance, families and investors are more likely to prefer Russell Lea, while Canada Bay remains a solid alternative depending on what matters most day to day.