Overall score
Garden Suburb
48.0/100
Macquarie Hills
45.3/100
Garden Suburb vs Macquarie Hills, NSW suburb comparison
Garden Suburb for retirees and families.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Visual comparison
Garden SuburbMacquarie Hills
Crime rate
Garden Suburb
86.8 / 1k
Macquarie Hills
64.6 / 1k
Nearby amenities
Garden Suburb
24
Macquarie Hills
37
Population
Garden Suburb
1,959
Macquarie Hills
3,605
Metric leadGarden Suburb 5Macquarie Hills 42 tiedacross 11 compared metrics
Livability profile
Desirability pillars scored 0–100 vs comparable suburbs
Quick verdicts
Clearer edge on lifestyle fit (score gap ≥ 3)
- Best for retireesGarden Suburb
- Best for familiesGarden Suburb
- Best for investmentGarden Suburb
- Best for best valueGarden Suburb
- Best for best schoolsGarden Suburb
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 | Garden Suburb | Macquarie Hills |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 48.0/100 | 45.3/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 57.7/100 | 45.6/100 |
| Crime rate | 86.8 / 1k | 64.6 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | 11 | 4 |
| Parks & reserves | 1 | 1 |
| Public transport stops | 28 | 67 |
| Walkability | 30.0/100 | 30.0/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 24 | 37 |
| Planning activity | 7 | 8 |
| Population | 1,959 | 3,605 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 9/10 | 8/10 |
Comparison summary
Garden Suburb reads as a well-connected metro smaller community with a familiar suburban feel; Macquarie Hills is a hills mid-sized suburb where tree cover and calm define the mood. Macquarie Hills sits among greener hillside streets, while Garden Suburb keeps a flatter suburban layout.
Garden Suburb tends to lead on housing affordability and overall desirability, while Macquarie Hills stands out for a quieter safety profile and public transport access.
On balance, retirees and families are more likely to prefer Garden Suburb, while Macquarie Hills remains a solid alternative depending on what matters most day to day.