Overall score
Ellen Grove
47.4/100
Forest Lake
51.8/100
Ellen Grove for retirees and families; Forest Lake for investment and value.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Overall score
Ellen Grove
47.4/100
Forest Lake
51.8/100
Crime rate
Ellen Grove
46.3 / 1k
Forest Lake
46.4 / 1k
Nearby amenities
Ellen Grove
42
Forest Lake
260
Population
Ellen Grove
3,586
Forest Lake
22,676
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 | Ellen Grove | Forest Lake |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 47.4/100 | 51.8/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 35.5/100 | 53.5/100 |
| Crime rate | 46.3 / 1k | 46.4 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | 3 | 4 |
| Weather (desirability) | 42.8/100 | 42.8/100 |
| Parks & reserves | 7 | 14 |
| Public transport stops | 15 | 43 |
| Walkability | 47.5/100 | 92.0/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 42 | 260 |
| Green cover | 18.4% | 2.3% |
| Population | 3,586 | 22,676 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 1/10 | 6/10 |
Ellen Grove reads as a sought-after metro mid-sized suburb where housing reflects strong local demand; Forest Lake is a lively metro established suburb with dining and everyday convenience close by.
On the data, Ellen Grove is stronger for a strongly multicultural community and relatively affordable housing; Forest Lake answers with housing affordability, a quieter safety profile, and schools and education options.
On balance, retirees, investors, value-focused buyers, and households prioritising schools are more likely to prefer Forest Lake, while Ellen Grove remains a solid alternative depending on what matters most day to day.
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.