Overall score
Clifton Springs
54.2/100
St Leonards
43.3/100
Clifton Springs for retirees and families.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Overall score
Clifton Springs
54.2/100
St Leonards
43.3/100
Crime rate
Clifton Springs
22.8 / 1k
St Leonards
42.9 / 1k
Nearby amenities
Clifton Springs
33
St Leonards
5
Population
Clifton Springs
7,646
St Leonards
3,542
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 | Clifton Springs | St Leonards |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 54.2/100 | 43.3/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 79.1/100 | 46.3/100 |
| Crime rate | 22.8 / 1k | 42.9 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | 2 | 1 |
| Parks & reserves | 5 | 6 |
| Public transport stops | 33 | 27 |
| Walkability | 30.0/100 | 30.0/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 33 | 5 |
| Planning activity | 17 | 61 |
| Population | 7,646 | 3,542 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 4/10 | 4/10 |
Put side by side, Clifton Springs is a beachside mid-sized suburb where the coast sets the tone, and St Leonards is a coastal mid-sized suburb with an easy, sea-led rhythm.
Clifton Springs pulls ahead on housing affordability and schools and education options, whereas St Leonards is the better pick for a quieter safety profile and parks and reserves.
Choose Clifton Springs if you are weighing people chasing a beach lifestyle and investors; lean toward St Leonards for retirees.