Overall score
East Bairnsdale
31.3/100
Paynesville
43.9/100
East Bairnsdale for value and schools.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Overall score
East Bairnsdale
31.3/100
Paynesville
43.9/100
Crime rate
East Bairnsdale
446.3 / 1k
Paynesville
49.8 / 1k
Nearby amenities
East Bairnsdale
0
Paynesville
92
Population
East Bairnsdale
1,352
Paynesville
3,636
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 | East Bairnsdale | Paynesville |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 31.3/100 | 43.9/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 73.8/100 | 54.2/100 |
| Crime rate | 446.3 / 1k | 49.8 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | — | 1 |
| Parks & reserves | 1 | 2 |
| Public transport stops | 3 | 3 |
| Walkability | 4.5/100 | 51.5/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 0 | 92 |
| Planning activity | 16 | 32 |
| Population | 1,352 | 3,636 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 1/10 | 3/10 |
East Bairnsdale reads as a more rural smaller community that rewards people who want room to breathe; Paynesville is a regional mid-sized suburb that feels self-contained without feeling remote.
East Bairnsdale pulls ahead on housing affordability and a quieter safety profile, whereas Paynesville is the better pick for parks and reserves and walkability.
On balance, retirees and families are more likely to prefer East Bairnsdale, while Paynesville remains a solid alternative depending on what matters most day to day.