Overall score
Darwin City
60.7/100
Palmerston City
—
Darwin City vs Palmerston City, NT Suburb Comparison
Darwin City for retirees and families.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Visual comparison
Darwin CityPalmerston City
Crime rate
Darwin City
79.1 / 1k
Palmerston City
72.1 / 1k
Nearby amenities
Darwin City
643
Palmerston City
163
Population
Darwin City
7,149
Palmerston City
194
Metric leadDarwin City 6Palmerston City 3across 9 compared metrics
Livability profile
Desirability pillars scored 0–100 vs comparable suburbs
Quick verdicts
Clearer edge on lifestyle fit (score gap ≥ 3)
- Best for retireesDarwin City
- Best for familiesDarwin City
- Best for investmentDarwin City
- Best for best valueDarwin City
- Best for best schoolsDarwin City
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 | Darwin City | Palmerston City |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 60.7/100 | — |
| Housing (desirability) | 48.1/100 | — |
| Crime rate | 79.1 / 1k | 72.1 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | 2 | 4 |
| Weather (desirability) | 9.6/100 | — |
| Parks & reserves | 8 | 1 |
| Public transport stops | 14 | 7 |
| Walkability | 91.0/100 | 76.5/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 643 | 163 |
| Green cover | 12.5% | 13.5% |
| Population | 7,149 | 194 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 10/10 | 5/10 |
Comparison summary
Darwin City reads as a well-serviced metro mid-sized suburb with plenty happening nearby; Palmerston City is a residential smaller community with a settled community character.
On the data, Darwin City is stronger for parks and reserves, public transport access, and walkability; Palmerston City answers with a quieter safety profile, plus schools and education options. Darwin City generally means more sought-after housing, while Palmerston City leans toward more mid-market housing value.
On balance, retirees, families, investors, value-focused buyers, and households prioritising schools are more likely to prefer Darwin City, while Palmerston City 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.