Overall score
Dondingalong
32.6/100
South Kempsey
26.0/100
Dondingalong for investment and value; South Kempsey for families.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Overall score
Dondingalong
32.6/100
South Kempsey
26.0/100
Crime rate
Dondingalong
164.3 / 1k
South Kempsey
164.3 / 1k
Nearby amenities
Dondingalong
0
South Kempsey
2
Population
Dondingalong
712
South Kempsey
2,604
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 | Dondingalong | South Kempsey |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 32.6/100 | 26.0/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 59.4/100 | 49.8/100 |
| Crime rate | 164.3 / 1k | 164.3 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | — | 1 |
| Weather (desirability) | 60.5/100 | 60.5/100 |
| Parks & reserves | — | 3 |
| Public transport stops | 28 | 79 |
| Walkability | 30.0/100 | 30.0/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 0 | 2 |
| Planning activity | 12 | 23 |
| Green cover | 0.0% | 0.5% |
| Population | 712 | 2,604 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 2/10 | 1/10 |
Put side by side, Dondingalong is a slower-paced smaller community with open surrounds, and South Kempsey is a slower-paced mid-sized suburb with open surrounds.
Dondingalong pulls ahead on housing affordability, a calmer planning outlook, and stronger socioeconomic advantage, whereas South Kempsey is the better pick for public transport access, nearby cafés and amenities, and overall desirability.
On balance, families and households prioritising schools are more likely to prefer South Kempsey, while Dondingalong 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.