Overall score
Essendon North
45.7/100
Moonee Ponds
69.0/100
Moonee Ponds for retirees and families.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Overall score
Essendon North
45.7/100
Moonee Ponds
69.0/100
Crime rate
Essendon North
100.3 / 1k
Moonee Ponds
94.8 / 1k
Nearby amenities
Essendon North
86
Moonee Ponds
533
Population
Essendon North
3,071
Moonee Ponds
16,224
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 | Essendon North | Moonee Ponds |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 45.7/100 | 69.0/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 16.0/100 | 12.1/100 |
| Crime rate | 100.3 / 1k | 94.8 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | 9 | 13 |
| Parks & reserves | 2 | 11 |
| Public transport stops | 13 | 96 |
| Walkability | 40.5/100 | 100.0/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 86 | 533 |
| Planning activity | 27 | 216 |
| Population | 3,071 | 16,224 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 9/10 | 10/10 |
Put side by side, Essendon North is a well-serviced metro mid-sized suburb with plenty happening nearby, and Moonee Ponds is a well-serviced metro established suburb with plenty happening nearby.
On the data, Essendon North is stronger for housing affordability and a calmer planning outlook; Moonee Ponds answers with a quieter safety profile and schools and education options.
On balance, retirees and families are more likely to prefer Moonee Ponds, while Essendon North remains a solid alternative depending on what matters most day to day.