Overall score
Footscray
58.2/100
West Footscray
54.8/100
Footscray for retirees and schools; West Footscray for investment.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Overall score
Footscray
58.2/100
West Footscray
54.8/100
Crime rate
Footscray
208.5 / 1k
West Footscray
72.1 / 1k
Nearby amenities
Footscray
1,246
West Footscray
347
Population
Footscray
17,131
West Footscray
11,729
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 | Footscray | West Footscray |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 58.2/100 | 54.8/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 47.3/100 | 48.5/100 |
| Crime rate | 208.5 / 1k | 72.1 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | 8 | 10 |
| Weather (desirability) | 82.3/100 | 82.3/100 |
| Parks & reserves | 26 | 10 |
| Public transport stops | 223 | 65 |
| Walkability | 100.0/100 | 77.0/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 1,246 | 347 |
| Planning activity | 83 | 34 |
| Green cover | 10.8% | 5.3% |
| Population | 17,131 | 11,729 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 8/10 | 9/10 |
Footscray reads as an energetic metro established suburb where cafés and local life overlap; West Footscray is an energetic metro established suburb where cafés and local life overlap.
Footscray pulls ahead on parks and reserves, public transport access, and walkability, whereas West Footscray is the better pick for housing affordability, a quieter safety profile, and schools and education options. Footscray generally means housing toward the upper end of the market, while West Footscray leans toward more sought-after housing.
Households prioritising schools may find Footscray the better fit, while retirees and investors are more likely to prefer West Footscray.
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.