Overall score
Castlemaine
68.2/100
Elphinstone
31.5/100
Castlemaine vs Elphinstone, VIC suburb comparison
Castlemaine for families and value; Elphinstone for retirees.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Visual comparison
CastlemaineElphinstone
Crime rate
Castlemaine
101.0 / 1k
Elphinstone
51.0 / 1k
Nearby amenities
Castlemaine
367
Elphinstone
0
Population
Castlemaine
7,506
Elphinstone
633
Metric leadCastlemaine 8Elphinstone 2across 10 compared metrics
Livability profile
Desirability pillars scored 0–100 vs comparable suburbs
Quick verdicts
Clearer edge on lifestyle fit (score gap ≥ 3)
- Best for retireesElphinstone
- Best for familiesCastlemaine
- Best for best valueCastlemaine
- Best for best schoolsCastlemaine
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 | Castlemaine | Elphinstone |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 68.2/100 | 31.5/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 66.1/100 | 40.6/100 |
| Crime rate | 101.0 / 1k | 51.0 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | 4 | 1 |
| Parks & reserves | 16 | 2 |
| Public transport stops | 45 | 2 |
| Walkability | 100.0/100 | 3.0/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 367 | 0 |
| Population | 7,506 | 633 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 5/10 | 6/10 |
Comparison summary
Castlemaine is a regional hub with its own identity and everyday convenience, while Elphinstone is a more rural smaller community that rewards people who want room to breathe.
On the data, Castlemaine is stronger for housing affordability and schools and education options; Elphinstone answers with a quieter safety profile and stronger socioeconomic advantage.
Families and value-focused buyers may find Castlemaine the better fit, while retirees are more likely to prefer Elphinstone.