Overall score
Drysdale
52.4/100
St Leonards
43.3/100
Drysdale vs St Leonards, VIC suburb comparison
Drysdale for families and beach lifestyle.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Visual comparison
DrysdaleSt Leonards
Crime rate
Drysdale
45.5 / 1k
St Leonards
42.9 / 1k
Nearby amenities
Drysdale
3
St Leonards
5
Population
Drysdale
4,976
St Leonards
3,542
Metric leadDrysdale 6St Leonards 41 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 | St Leonards |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 52.4/100 | 43.3/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 85.0/100 | 46.3/100 |
| Crime rate | 45.5 / 1k | 42.9 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | 4 | 1 |
| Parks & reserves | 4 | 6 |
| Public transport stops | 31 | 27 |
| Walkability | 30.0/100 | 30.0/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 3 | 5 |
| Planning activity | 83 | 61 |
| Population | 4,976 | 3,542 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 5/10 | 4/10 |
Comparison summary
Put side by side, Drysdale is a beachside mid-sized suburb where the coast sets the tone, and St Leonards is a coastal mid-sized suburb with an easy, sea-led rhythm.
Drysdale pulls ahead on housing affordability and a quieter safety profile, whereas St Leonards is the better pick for parks and reserves and nearby cafés and amenities.
On balance, retirees and families are more likely to prefer Drysdale, while St Leonards remains a solid alternative depending on what matters most day to day.