Overall score
Ferndale
46.4/100
St James
45.9/100
Ferndale vs St James, WA Suburb Comparison
Ferndale for retirees and families; St James for schools.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Visual comparison
FerndaleSt James
Crime rate
Ferndale
77.5 / 1k
St James
77.5 / 1k
Nearby amenities
Ferndale
163
St James
81
Population
Ferndale
4,457
St James
4,894
Metric leadFerndale 7St James 32 tiedacross 12 compared metrics
Livability profile
Desirability pillars scored 0–100 vs comparable suburbs
Quick verdicts
Clearer edge on lifestyle fit (score gap ≥ 3)
Audience fit
Who each suburb suits — composite scores out of 100
All metrics
Side-by-side scores for every compared metric.
Full comparison table
Exact figures for every metric — winner highlighted in bold.
| Category | Ferndale | St James |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 46.4/100 | 45.9/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 51.9/100 | 49.9/100 |
| Crime rate | 77.5 / 1k | 77.5 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | 8 | 7 |
| Weather (desirability) | 23.4/100 | 23.4/100 |
| Parks & reserves | 9 | 7 |
| Public transport stops | 34 | 24 |
| Walkability | 47.0/100 | 74.0/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 163 | 81 |
| Green cover | 10.8% | 1.6% |
| Population | 4,457 | 4,894 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 5/10 | 7/10 |
Comparison summary
Put side by side, Ferndale is an energetic metro mid-sized suburb where cafés and local life overlap, and St James is a lively metro mid-sized suburb with dining and everyday convenience close by. Ferndale sits in a middle-ring position, whereas St James is closer to the city centre.
On the data, Ferndale is stronger for housing affordability, schools and education options, and parks and reserves; St James answers with walkability, overall desirability, and a larger local community. Ferndale generally means more sought-after housing, while St James leans toward more approachable housing costs.
Investors and value-focused buyers may find Ferndale the better fit, while retirees, families, and households prioritising schools are more likely to prefer St James.
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.