Overall score
Carrick
38.8/100
Prospect Vale
63.5/100
Prospect Vale for families and value.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Overall score
Carrick
38.8/100
Prospect Vale
63.5/100
Crime rate
Carrick
1606.6 / 1k
Prospect Vale
217.6 / 1k
Nearby amenities
Carrick
6
Prospect Vale
98
Population
Carrick
721
Prospect Vale
5,433
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 | Carrick | Prospect Vale |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 38.8/100 | 63.5/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 91.7/100 | 91.7/100 |
| Crime rate | 1606.6 / 1k | 217.6 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | — | 2 |
| Parks & reserves | 2 | 11 |
| Public transport stops | 2 | 39 |
| Walkability | 3.0/100 | 75.0/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 6 | 98 |
| Population | 721 | 5,433 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 5/10 | 3/10 |
Carrick reads as a more rural smaller community that rewards people who want room to breathe; Prospect Vale is a regional mid-sized suburb that feels self-contained without feeling remote.
Carrick tends to lead on stronger socioeconomic advantage, while Prospect Vale stands out for a quieter safety profile and parks and reserves. Carrick generally means more mid-market housing value, while Prospect Vale leans toward more approachable housing costs.
On balance, retirees and families are more likely to prefer Prospect Vale, while Carrick remains a solid alternative depending on what matters most day to day.