Overall score
Hamilton South
42.6/100
Islington
40.3/100
Hamilton South for families and schools; Islington for investment.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Overall score
Hamilton South
42.6/100
Islington
40.3/100
Crime rate
Hamilton South
228.6 / 1k
Islington
111.7 / 1k
Nearby amenities
Hamilton South
34
Islington
95
Population
Hamilton South
4,057
Islington
2,026
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 | Hamilton South | Islington |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 42.6/100 | 40.3/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 23.0/100 | 19.4/100 |
| Crime rate | 228.6 / 1k | 111.7 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | 12 | 9 |
| Parks & reserves | 2 | 2 |
| Public transport stops | 43 | 35 |
| Walkability | 32.0/100 | 56.0/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 34 | 95 |
| Planning activity | 17 | 18 |
| Population | 4,057 | 2,026 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 6/10 | 8/10 |
Hamilton South is a well-connected metro mid-sized suburb with a familiar suburban feel, while Islington is a lively metro smaller community with dining and everyday convenience close by. Hamilton South sits further out with more breathing room, whereas Islington is in a middle-ring position.
On the data, Hamilton South is stronger for housing affordability and public transport access; Islington answers with a quieter safety profile and walkability.
On balance, investors and households prioritising schools are more likely to prefer Islington, while Hamilton South remains a solid alternative depending on what matters most day to day.