Overall score
Castlemaine
65.4/100
McKenzie Hill
52.3/100
Castlemaine vs McKenzie Hill, VIC Suburb Comparison
Castlemaine for retirees and families; McKenzie Hill for value.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Visual comparison
CastlemaineMcKenzie Hill
Crime rate
Castlemaine
97.8 / 1k
McKenzie Hill
26.1 / 1k
Nearby amenities
Castlemaine
384
McKenzie Hill
9
Population
Castlemaine
7,506
McKenzie Hill
775
Metric leadCastlemaine 7McKenzie Hill 31 tiedacross 11 compared metrics
Livability profile
Desirability pillars scored 0–100 vs comparable suburbs
Quick verdicts
Clearer edge on lifestyle fit (score gap ≥ 3)
- Best for retireesCastlemaine
- Best for familiesCastlemaine
- Best for best valueMcKenzie Hill
- 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 | McKenzie Hill |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 65.4/100 | 52.3/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 71.1/100 | 76.0/100 |
| Crime rate | 97.8 / 1k | 26.1 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | 4 | — |
| Weather (desirability) | 53.4/100 | 53.4/100 |
| Parks & reserves | 16 | 1 |
| Public transport stops | 45 | 1 |
| Walkability | 100.0/100 | 1.5/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 384 | 9 |
| Green cover | 18.3% | 8.9% |
| Population | 7,506 | 775 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 5/10 | 7/10 |
Comparison summary
Put side by side, Castlemaine is a regional hub with its own identity and everyday convenience, and McKenzie Hill is a slower-paced smaller community with open surrounds.
On the data, Castlemaine is stronger for parks and reserves, public transport access, and walkability; McKenzie Hill answers with housing affordability, a quieter safety profile, and stronger socioeconomic advantage. On housing, Castlemaine sits in a well priced band, compared with a gently premium feel in McKenzie Hill.
Choose Castlemaine if you are weighing value-focused buyers and households prioritising schools; lean toward McKenzie Hill for retirees, families, and investors.
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.