Overall score
Carlton River
22.4/100
Primrose Sands
21.1/100
Carlton River for retirees and investment.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Overall score
Carlton River
22.4/100
Primrose Sands
21.1/100
Crime rate
Carlton River
2384.8 / 1k
Primrose Sands
696.0 / 1k
Nearby amenities
Carlton River
0
Primrose Sands
10
Population
Carlton River
347
Primrose Sands
1,209
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 | Carlton River | Primrose Sands |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 22.4/100 | 21.1/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 3.5/100 | 0.5/100 |
| Crime rate | 2384.8 / 1k | 696.0 / 1k |
| Parks & reserves | 1 | — |
| Walkability | 0.0/100 | 0.0/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 0 | 10 |
| Population | 347 | 1,209 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 4/10 | 1/10 |
Carlton River is a well-connected metro smaller community with a familiar suburban feel, while Primrose Sands is a practical metro smaller community with approachable housing and suburban calm.
Carlton River pulls ahead on housing affordability and overall desirability, whereas Primrose Sands is the better pick for a quieter safety profile and nearby cafés and amenities. On housing, Carlton River sits in a well priced band, compared with a affordable feel in Primrose Sands.
On balance, retirees and investors are more likely to prefer Carlton River, while Primrose Sands remains a solid alternative depending on what matters most day to day.