Overall score
Forest Lodge
52.9/100
Surry Hills
54.1/100
Forest Lodge for families and schools; Surry Hills for retirees.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Overall score
Forest Lodge
52.9/100
Surry Hills
54.1/100
Crime rate
Forest Lodge
141.8 / 1k
Surry Hills
208.3 / 1k
Nearby amenities
Forest Lodge
166
Surry Hills
757
Population
Forest Lodge
4,965
Surry Hills
15,828
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 | Forest Lodge | Surry Hills |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 52.9/100 | 54.1/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 51.3/100 | 49.6/100 |
| Crime rate | 141.8 / 1k | 208.3 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | 23 | 28 |
| Weather (desirability) | 82.3/100 | 82.3/100 |
| Parks & reserves | 9 | 15 |
| Public transport stops | 24 | 65 |
| Walkability | 79.0/100 | 100.0/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 166 | 757 |
| Planning activity | 27 | 127 |
| Green cover | 13.1% | 8.0% |
| Population | 4,965 | 15,828 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 10/10 | 10/10 |
Put side by side, Forest Lodge is a well-serviced metro mid-sized suburb with plenty happening nearby, and Surry Hills is a leafier hillside established suburb with elevated outlooks. Surry Hills sits among greener hillside streets, while Forest Lodge keeps a flatter suburban layout.
On the data, Forest Lodge is stronger for housing affordability, a quieter safety profile, and a calmer planning outlook; Surry Hills answers with schools and education options, parks and reserves, and public transport access.
Choose Forest Lodge if you are weighing families, investors, and households prioritising schools; lean toward Surry Hills for value-focused buyers.
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.