Overall score
Forge Creek
26.2/100
Paynesville
43.9/100
Forge Creek vs Paynesville, VIC suburb comparison
Forge Creek for retirees and families; Paynesville for investment and value.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Visual comparison
Forge CreekPaynesville
Crime rate
Forge Creek
44.4 / 1k
Paynesville
49.8 / 1k
Nearby amenities
Forge Creek
0
Paynesville
92
Population
Forge Creek
346
Paynesville
3,636
Metric leadForge Creek 3Paynesville 6across 9 compared metrics
Livability profile
Desirability pillars scored 0–100 vs comparable suburbs
Quick verdicts
Clearer edge on lifestyle fit (score gap ≥ 3)
- Best for retireesForge Creek
- Best for familiesForge Creek
- Best for investmentPaynesville
- Best for best valuePaynesville
- Best for best schoolsPaynesville
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 | Forge Creek | Paynesville |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 26.2/100 | 43.9/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 22.3/100 | 54.2/100 |
| Crime rate | 44.4 / 1k | 49.8 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | — | 1 |
| Parks & reserves | 1 | 2 |
| Public transport stops | — | 3 |
| Walkability | 0.0/100 | 51.5/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 0 | 92 |
| Planning activity | 6 | 32 |
| Population | 346 | 3,636 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 5/10 | 3/10 |
Comparison summary
Put side by side, Forge Creek is a quieter smaller community with space and a country-town pace, and Paynesville is a regional mid-sized suburb that feels self-contained without feeling remote.
Forge Creek pulls ahead on a quieter safety profile and a calmer planning outlook, whereas Paynesville is the better pick for housing affordability and parks and reserves. On housing, Forge Creek sits in a well priced band, compared with a affordable feel in Paynesville.
Choose Forge Creek if you are weighing retirees and families; lean toward Paynesville for investors and value-focused buyers.