Overall score
Essendon West
47.8/100
Keilor East
72.3/100
Essendon West for retirees and schools; Keilor East for investment and value.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Overall score
Essendon West
47.8/100
Keilor East
72.3/100
Crime rate
Essendon West
40.3 / 1k
Keilor East
36.7 / 1k
Nearby amenities
Essendon West
82
Keilor East
301
Population
Essendon West
1,559
Keilor East
15,078
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 West | Keilor East |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 47.8/100 | 72.3/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 25.0/100 | 54.1/100 |
| Crime rate | 40.3 / 1k | 36.7 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | 10 | 4 |
| Parks & reserves | 7 | 24 |
| Public transport stops | 8 | 67 |
| Walkability | 14.0/100 | 86.0/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 82 | 301 |
| Planning activity | 25 | 182 |
| Population | 1,559 | 15,078 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 10/10 | 8/10 |
Put side by side, Essendon West is a lively metro smaller community with dining and everyday convenience close by, and Keilor East is an energetic metro established suburb where cafés and local life overlap. Essendon West sits closer to the city centre, whereas Keilor East is in a middle-ring position.
On the data, Essendon West is stronger for a quieter safety profile and schools and education options; Keilor East answers with housing affordability and parks and reserves.
Choose Essendon West if you are weighing retirees and families; lean toward Keilor East for investors and value-focused buyers.