Overall score
Cottles Bridge
48.6/100
Hurstbridge
62.7/100
Hurstbridge for retirees and families.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Overall score
Cottles Bridge
48.6/100
Hurstbridge
62.7/100
Crime rate
Cottles Bridge
65.4 / 1k
Hurstbridge
22.6 / 1k
Nearby amenities
Cottles Bridge
0
Hurstbridge
248
Population
Cottles Bridge
609
Hurstbridge
3,554
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 | Cottles Bridge | Hurstbridge |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 48.6/100 | 62.7/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 74.6/100 | 60.8/100 |
| Crime rate | 65.4 / 1k | 22.6 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | 1 | 2 |
| Parks & reserves | — | 11 |
| Public transport stops | — | 12 |
| Walkability | 0.0/100 | 63.0/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 0 | 248 |
| Planning activity | 12 | 80 |
| Population | 609 | 3,554 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 10/10 | 9/10 |
Cottles Bridge reads as a hillside smaller community with greener streets and a quieter pace; Hurstbridge is a hills mid-sized suburb where tree cover and calm define the mood. Cottles Bridge sits within day-trip reach of the capital, whereas Hurstbridge is in a middle-ring position.
On the data, Cottles Bridge is stronger for housing affordability and a calmer planning outlook; Hurstbridge answers with a quieter safety profile and schools and education options.
On balance, families and households prioritising schools are more likely to prefer Hurstbridge, while Cottles Bridge remains a solid alternative depending on what matters most day to day.