Overall score
Geelong
69.4/100
Manifold Heights
41.2/100
Geelong for beach lifestyle and investment.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Overall score
Geelong
69.4/100
Manifold Heights
41.2/100
Crime rate
Geelong
664.0 / 1k
Manifold Heights
59.1 / 1k
Nearby amenities
Geelong
1,403
Manifold Heights
136
Population
Geelong
5,811
Manifold Heights
2,681
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 | Geelong | Manifold Heights |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 69.4/100 | 41.2/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 41.5/100 | 36.0/100 |
| Crime rate | 664.0 / 1k | 59.1 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | 10 | 13 |
| Parks & reserves | 13 | 1 |
| Public transport stops | 51 | 17 |
| Walkability | 100.0/100 | 33.5/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 1,403 | 136 |
| Planning activity | 222 | 15 |
| Population | 5,811 | 2,681 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 9/10 | 9/10 |
Put side by side, Geelong is a beachside mid-sized suburb where the coast sets the tone, and Manifold Heights is a hillside mid-sized suburb with greener streets and a quieter pace. Where Geelong is shaped by the coast, Manifold Heights offers a more landlocked suburban rhythm.
Geelong tends to lead on housing affordability and parks and reserves, while Manifold Heights stands out for a quieter safety profile and schools and education options.
On balance, retirees and families are more likely to prefer Geelong, while Manifold Heights remains a solid alternative depending on what matters most day to day.