Overall score
Dubbo
37.8/100
Wagga Wagga
54.7/100
Dubbo for investment and value; Wagga Wagga for retirees and families.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Overall score
Dubbo
37.8/100
Wagga Wagga
54.7/100
Crime rate
Dubbo
153.5 / 1k
Wagga Wagga
119.5 / 1k
Nearby amenities
Dubbo
64
Wagga Wagga
612
Population
Dubbo
43,516
Wagga Wagga
7,198
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 | Dubbo | Wagga Wagga |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 37.8/100 | 54.7/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 57.6/100 | 67.8/100 |
| Crime rate | 153.5 / 1k | 119.5 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | 2 | 6 |
| Weather (desirability) | 13.4/100 | 11.8/100 |
| Parks & reserves | 58 | 14 |
| Public transport stops | 1,884 | 114 |
| Walkability | 32.0/100 | 100.0/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 64 | 612 |
| Planning activity | 411 | 80 |
| Green cover | 2.1% | 7.4% |
| Population | 43,516 | 7,198 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 4/10 | 5/10 |
Put side by side, Dubbo is a regional larger suburb that feels self-contained without feeling remote, and Wagga Wagga is a regional mid-sized suburb with local services and a more relaxed pace.
On the data, Dubbo is stronger for housing affordability, parks and reserves, and public transport access; Wagga Wagga answers with a quieter safety profile, schools and education options, and walkability. Dubbo generally means more sought-after housing, while Wagga Wagga leans toward housing toward the upper end of the market.
Dubbo suits retirees and investors more clearly, whereas Wagga Wagga is the stronger match for families and households prioritising schools.
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.