Overall score
Castlereagh
39.9/100
Emu Heights
57.1/100
Emu Heights for families and investment.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Overall score
Castlereagh
39.9/100
Emu Heights
57.1/100
Crime rate
Castlereagh
52.4 / 1k
Emu Heights
154.2 / 1k
Nearby amenities
Castlereagh
15
Emu Heights
65
Population
Castlereagh
1,248
Emu Heights
3,205
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 | Castlereagh | Emu Heights |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 39.9/100 | 57.1/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 40.2/100 | 53.2/100 |
| Crime rate | 52.4 / 1k | 154.2 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | 1 | 2 |
| Parks & reserves | 2 | 13 |
| Public transport stops | 25 | 45 |
| Walkability | 30.0/100 | 38.0/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 15 | 65 |
| Planning activity | 12 | 8 |
| Population | 1,248 | 3,205 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 8/10 | 8/10 |
Castlereagh reads as a well-connected metro smaller community with a familiar suburban feel; Emu Heights is a hillside mid-sized suburb with greener streets and a quieter pace. Emu Heights sits among greener hillside streets, while Castlereagh keeps a flatter suburban layout.
Castlereagh tends to lead on a quieter safety profile, while Emu Heights stands out for housing affordability and parks and reserves.
On balance, investors and value-focused buyers are more likely to prefer Emu Heights, while Castlereagh remains a solid alternative depending on what matters most day to day.