Overall score
Essendon North
45.7/100
Strathmore Heights
49.9/100
Strathmore Heights for retirees and families.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Overall score
Essendon North
45.7/100
Strathmore Heights
49.9/100
Crime rate
Essendon North
100.3 / 1k
Strathmore Heights
30.4 / 1k
Nearby amenities
Essendon North
86
Strathmore Heights
44
Population
Essendon North
3,071
Strathmore Heights
1,047
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 | Strathmore Heights |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 45.7/100 | 49.9/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 16.0/100 | 28.2/100 |
| Crime rate | 100.3 / 1k | 30.4 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | 9 | 5 |
| Parks & reserves | 2 | 5 |
| Public transport stops | 13 | 8 |
| Walkability | 40.5/100 | 12.0/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 86 | 44 |
| Planning activity | 27 | 7 |
| Population | 3,071 | 1,047 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 9/10 | 9/10 |
Essendon North is a well-serviced metro mid-sized suburb with plenty happening nearby, while Strathmore Heights is a leafier hillside smaller community with elevated outlooks. Strathmore Heights sits among greener hillside streets, while Essendon North keeps a flatter suburban layout.
Essendon North pulls ahead on schools and education options and public transport access, whereas Strathmore Heights is the better pick for housing affordability and a quieter safety profile.
On balance, retirees and families are more likely to prefer Strathmore Heights, while Essendon North remains a solid alternative depending on what matters most day to day.