Overall score
Carrum
65.4/100
Chelsea
70.2/100
Carrum vs Chelsea, VIC suburb comparison
Carrum for investment and schools; Chelsea for retirees and beach lifestyle.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Visual comparison
CarrumChelsea
Crime rate
Carrum
63.6 / 1k
Chelsea
67.7 / 1k
Nearby amenities
Carrum
181
Chelsea
363
Population
Carrum
4,239
Chelsea
8,347
Metric leadCarrum 2Chelsea 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 | Carrum | Chelsea |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 65.4/100 | 70.2/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 57.4/100 | 57.0/100 |
| Crime rate | 63.6 / 1k | 67.7 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | 5 | 5 |
| Parks & reserves | 4 | 5 |
| Public transport stops | 39 | 48 |
| Walkability | 90.0/100 | 100.0/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 181 | 363 |
| Planning activity | 90 | 85 |
| Population | 4,239 | 8,347 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 7/10 | 8/10 |
Comparison summary
Put side by side, Carrum is a coastal mid-sized suburb with an easy, sea-led rhythm, and Chelsea is a coastal established suburb with an easy, sea-led rhythm.
Carrum tends to lead on housing affordability, while Chelsea stands out for a quieter safety profile and parks and reserves.
Choose Carrum if you are weighing investors and households prioritising schools; lean toward Chelsea for retirees and people chasing a beach lifestyle.