Overall score
Cardinia
26.5/100
Pakenham
46.8/100
Cardinia vs Pakenham, VIC Suburb Comparison
Pakenham for retirees and families.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Visual comparison
CardiniaPakenham
Crime rate
Cardinia
162.2 / 1k
Pakenham
81.1 / 1k
Nearby amenities
Cardinia
32
Pakenham
488
Population
Cardinia
342
Pakenham
54,118
Metric leadCardinia 2Pakenham 81 tiedacross 11 compared metrics
Livability profile
Desirability pillars scored 0–100 vs comparable suburbs
Quick verdicts
Clearer edge on lifestyle fit (score gap ≥ 3)
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 | Cardinia | Pakenham |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 26.5/100 | 46.8/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 51.5/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Crime rate | 162.2 / 1k | 81.1 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | 1 | 4 |
| Weather (desirability) | 82.3/100 | 82.3/100 |
| Parks & reserves | — | 24 |
| Public transport stops | — | 258 |
| Walkability | 0.0/100 | 100.0/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 32 | 488 |
| Planning activity | 5 | 494 |
| Green cover | 0.3% | 4.4% |
| Population | 342 | 54,118 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 6/10 | 4/10 |
Comparison summary
Put side by side, Cardinia is a settled metro smaller community that balances access with everyday calm, and Pakenham is a well-serviced metro larger suburb with plenty happening nearby. Cardinia sits further out with more breathing room, whereas Pakenham is in a middle-ring position.
Cardinia pulls ahead on a calmer planning outlook and stronger socioeconomic advantage, whereas Pakenham is the better pick for housing affordability, a quieter safety profile, and schools and education options. Cardinia generally means more mid-market housing value, while Pakenham leans toward housing toward the upper end of the market.
On balance, families, investors, value-focused buyers, and households prioritising schools are more likely to prefer Pakenham, while Cardinia remains a solid alternative depending on what matters most day to day.
Generated from the official metrics on this page. It can omit nuance or contain errors — check the tables and source notes before relying on it.