Overall score
Craigieburn
75.2/100
Meadow Heights
62.0/100
Craigieburn for retirees and families.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Overall score
Craigieburn
75.2/100
Meadow Heights
62.0/100
Crime rate
Craigieburn
58.9 / 1k
Meadow Heights
66.1 / 1k
Nearby amenities
Craigieburn
918
Meadow Heights
169
Population
Craigieburn
65,178
Meadow Heights
14,890
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 | Craigieburn | Meadow Heights |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 75.2/100 | 62.0/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 81.2/100 | 81.2/100 |
| Crime rate | 58.9 / 1k | 66.1 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | 7 | 4 |
| Parks & reserves | 73 | 56 |
| Public transport stops | 231 | 61 |
| Walkability | 100.0/100 | 59.0/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 918 | 169 |
| Planning activity | 190 | 74 |
| Population | 65,178 | 14,890 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 4/10 | 1/10 |
Craigieburn reads as an energetic metro larger suburb where cafés and local life overlap; Meadow Heights is a leafier hillside established suburb with elevated outlooks. Meadow Heights sits among greener hillside streets, while Craigieburn keeps a flatter suburban layout.
On the data, Craigieburn is stronger for a quieter safety profile and schools and education options; Meadow Heights answers with a calmer planning outlook. Craigieburn generally means more mid-market housing value, while Meadow Heights leans toward more approachable housing costs.
On balance, retirees and families are more likely to prefer Craigieburn, while Meadow Heights remains a solid alternative depending on what matters most day to day.