Overall score
Clifton Springs
43.9/100
Portarlington
48.5/100
Clifton Springs vs Portarlington, VIC Suburb Comparison
Clifton Springs for investment and value; Portarlington for retirees and families.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Visual comparison
Clifton SpringsPortarlington
Crime rate
Clifton Springs
28.8 / 1k
Portarlington
30.8 / 1k
Nearby amenities
Clifton Springs
63
Portarlington
9
Population
Clifton Springs
7,646
Portarlington
4,436
Metric leadClifton Springs 7Portarlington 33 tiedacross 13 compared metrics
Livability profile
Desirability pillars scored 0–100 vs comparable suburbs
Quick verdicts
Clearer edge on lifestyle fit (score gap ≥ 3)
- Best for retireesPortarlington
- Best for familiesPortarlington
- Best for investmentClifton Springs
- Best for best valueClifton Springs
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 | Clifton Springs | Portarlington |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 43.9/100 | 48.5/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 72.7/100 | 42.3/100 |
| Crime rate | 28.8 / 1k | 30.8 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | 2 | 1 |
| Weather (desirability) | 82.3/100 | 82.3/100 |
| Parks & reserves | 5 | 9 |
| Public transport stops | 33 | 36 |
| Walkability | 30.0/100 | 30.0/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 63 | 9 |
| Planning activity | 17 | 104 |
| Green cover | 7.5% | 4.9% |
| Population | 7,646 | 4,436 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 4/10 | 4/10 |
Comparison summary
Clifton Springs reads as a beachside mid-sized suburb where the coast sets the tone; Portarlington is a coastal mid-sized suburb with an easy, sea-led rhythm.
On the data, Clifton Springs is stronger for housing affordability, a quieter safety profile, and schools and education options; Portarlington answers with parks and reserves, plus public transport access.
On balance, retirees, families, people chasing a beach lifestyle, investors, value-focused buyers, and households prioritising schools are more likely to prefer Clifton Springs, while Portarlington remains a solid alternative depending on what matters most day to day.
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.