Overall score
Darley
38.5/100
Long Forest
44.0/100
Darley vs Long Forest, VIC Suburb Comparison
Darley for retirees and families; Long Forest for value and schools.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Visual comparison
DarleyLong Forest
Crime rate
Darley
56.8 / 1k
Long Forest
34.3 / 1k
Nearby amenities
Darley
21
Long Forest
3
Population
Darley
9,190
Long Forest
343
Metric leadDarley 5Long Forest 41 tiedacross 10 compared metrics
Livability profile
Desirability pillars scored 0–100 vs comparable suburbs
Quick verdicts
Clearer edge on lifestyle fit (score gap ≥ 3)
- Best for retireesDarley
- Best for familiesDarley
- Best for investmentDarley
- Best for best valueLong Forest
- Best for best schoolsLong Forest
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 | Darley | Long Forest |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 38.5/100 | 44.0/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 54.5/100 | 52.2/100 |
| Crime rate | 56.8 / 1k | 34.3 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | 1 | — |
| Weather (desirability) | 82.3/100 | 82.3/100 |
| Parks & reserves | 5 | — |
| Public transport stops | 27 | — |
| Walkability | 32.0/100 | 0.0/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 21 | 3 |
| Planning activity | 38 | 4 |
| Green cover | 5.6% | 0.0% |
| Population | 9,190 | 343 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 5/10 | 7/10 |
Comparison summary
Darley is a well-connected metro established suburb with a familiar suburban feel, while Long Forest is a slower-paced smaller community with open surrounds. Darley sits further out with more breathing room, whereas Long Forest is within day-trip reach of the capital.
Darley pulls ahead on walkability, nearby cafés and amenities, and a larger local community, whereas Long Forest is the better pick for housing affordability, a quieter safety profile, and overall desirability. On housing, Darley sits in a well priced band, compared with a gently premium feel in Long Forest.
Choose Darley if you are weighing households prioritising schools; lean toward Long Forest for families, investors, and value-focused buyers.
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.