Overall score
Castella
41.7/100
Kinglake West
45.6/100
Castella vs Kinglake West, VIC suburb comparison
Castella for value; Kinglake West for retirees and families.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Visual comparison
CastellaKinglake West
Crime rate
Castella
31.0 / 1k
Kinglake West
10.5 / 1k
Nearby amenities
Castella
7
Kinglake West
12
Population
Castella
257
Kinglake West
1,305
Metric leadCastella 3Kinglake West 6across 9 compared metrics
Livability profile
Desirability pillars scored 0–100 vs comparable suburbs
Quick verdicts
Clearer edge on lifestyle fit (score gap ≥ 3)
- Best for retireesKinglake West
- Best for familiesKinglake West
- Best for investmentKinglake West
- Best for best valueCastella
- Best for best schoolsKinglake West
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 | Castella | Kinglake West |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 41.7/100 | 45.6/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 74.0/100 | 50.5/100 |
| Crime rate | 31.0 / 1k | 10.5 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | — | 1 |
| Parks & reserves | 2 | 3 |
| Public transport stops | — | 12 |
| Walkability | 0.0/100 | 18.0/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 7 | 12 |
| Planning activity | 5 | 40 |
| Population | 257 | 1,305 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 9/10 | 7/10 |
Comparison summary
Put side by side, Castella is a slower-paced smaller community with open surrounds, and Kinglake West is a quieter smaller community with space and a country-town pace.
Castella tends to lead on housing affordability and a calmer planning outlook, while Kinglake West stands out for a quieter safety profile and parks and reserves. On housing, Castella sits in a expensive band, compared with a well priced feel in Kinglake West.
Value-focused buyers may find Castella the better fit, while retirees and families are more likely to prefer Kinglake West.