Overall score
East Kempsey
34.8/100
Verges Creek
26.9/100
East Kempsey for families and schools; Verges Creek for investment.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Overall score
East Kempsey
34.8/100
Verges Creek
26.9/100
Crime rate
East Kempsey
164.3 / 1k
Verges Creek
165.1 / 1k
Nearby amenities
East Kempsey
102
Verges Creek
0
Population
East Kempsey
1,336
Verges Creek
298
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 Kempsey | Verges Creek |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 34.8/100 | 26.9/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 77.7/100 | 82.1/100 |
| Crime rate | 164.3 / 1k | 165.1 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | 1 | — |
| Parks & reserves | 4 | 1 |
| Public transport stops | 23 | 12 |
| Walkability | 30.0/100 | 18.0/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 102 | 0 |
| Planning activity | 3 | 5 |
| Population | 1,336 | 298 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 1/10 | 5/10 |
East Kempsey is a regional smaller community that feels self-contained without feeling remote, while Verges Creek is a quieter smaller community with space and a country-town pace.
East Kempsey tends to lead on parks and reserves and public transport access, while Verges Creek stands out for housing affordability and a quieter safety profile. East Kempsey generally means more approachable housing costs, while Verges Creek leans toward more mid-market housing value.
Families and value-focused buyers may find East Kempsey the better fit, while investors are more likely to prefer Verges Creek.