Overall score
Drysdale
52.4/100
Portarlington
45.2/100
Drysdale vs Portarlington, VIC suburb comparison
Drysdale for retirees and families.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Visual comparison
DrysdalePortarlington
Crime rate
Drysdale
45.5 / 1k
Portarlington
36.3 / 1k
Nearby amenities
Drysdale
3
Portarlington
1
Population
Drysdale
4,976
Portarlington
4,436
Metric leadDrysdale 7Portarlington 31 tiedacross 11 compared metrics
Livability profile
Desirability pillars scored 0–100 vs comparable suburbs
Quick verdicts
Clearer edge on lifestyle fit (score gap ≥ 3)
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 | Drysdale | Portarlington |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 52.4/100 | 45.2/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 85.0/100 | 36.7/100 |
| Crime rate | 45.5 / 1k | 36.3 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | 4 | 1 |
| Parks & reserves | 4 | 9 |
| Public transport stops | 31 | 36 |
| Walkability | 30.0/100 | 30.0/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 3 | 1 |
| Planning activity | 83 | 104 |
| Population | 4,976 | 4,436 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 5/10 | 4/10 |
Comparison summary
Drysdale is a beachside mid-sized suburb where the coast sets the tone, while Portarlington is a coastal mid-sized suburb with an easy, sea-led rhythm.
Drysdale tends to lead on housing affordability and a quieter safety profile, while Portarlington stands out for parks and reserves and public transport access.
On balance, retirees and families are more likely to prefer Drysdale, while Portarlington remains a solid alternative depending on what matters most day to day.