Overall score
Carlton
50.6/100
Parkville
57.2/100
Parkville for retirees and families.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Overall score
Carlton
50.6/100
Parkville
57.2/100
Crime rate
Carlton
125.4 / 1k
Parkville
150.7 / 1k
Nearby amenities
Carlton
1,278
Parkville
697
Population
Carlton
16,055
Parkville
7,074
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 | Parkville |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 50.6/100 | 57.2/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 46.9/100 | 26.6/100 |
| Crime rate | 125.4 / 1k | 150.7 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | 19 | 18 |
| Weather (desirability) | 82.3/100 | 82.3/100 |
| Parks & reserves | 14 | 26 |
| Public transport stops | 54 | 64 |
| Walkability | 100.0/100 | 85.0/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 1,278 | 697 |
| Planning activity | 166 | 60 |
| Green cover | 6.2% | 53.6% |
| Population | 16,055 | 7,074 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 9/10 | 10/10 |
Carlton is a well-serviced metro established suburb with plenty happening nearby, while Parkville is an energetic metro mid-sized suburb where cafés and local life overlap.
On the data, Carlton is stronger for housing affordability, a quieter safety profile, and schools and education options; Parkville answers with parks and reserves, public transport access, and a calmer planning outlook.
Families, investors, value-focused buyers, and households prioritising schools may find Carlton the better fit, while retirees are more likely to prefer Parkville.
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.