Overall score
Elwood
70.1/100
St Kilda West
46.5/100
Elwood for beach lifestyle and investment; St Kilda West for families and schools.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Overall score
Elwood
70.1/100
St Kilda West
46.5/100
Crime rate
Elwood
62.5 / 1k
St Kilda West
87.0 / 1k
Nearby amenities
Elwood
213
St Kilda West
46
Population
Elwood
15,153
St Kilda West
2,951
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 | Elwood | St Kilda West |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 70.1/100 | 46.5/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 26.9/100 | 18.9/100 |
| Crime rate | 62.5 / 1k | 87.0 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | 12 | 8 |
| Parks & reserves | 9 | 5 |
| Public transport stops | 46 | 10 |
| Walkability | 100.0/100 | 23.0/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 213 | 46 |
| Planning activity | 243 | 40 |
| Population | 15,153 | 2,951 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 10/10 | 10/10 |
Put side by side, Elwood is a beachside established suburb where the coast sets the tone, and St Kilda West is a coastal mid-sized suburb shaped by beach life and outdoor living.
Elwood pulls ahead on housing affordability and a quieter safety profile, whereas St Kilda West is the better pick for a calmer planning outlook.
Choose Elwood if you are weighing people chasing a beach lifestyle and investors; lean toward St Kilda West for families and households prioritising schools.