Overall score
Harkness
35.7/100
Toolern Vale
31.1/100
Harkness vs Toolern Vale, VIC Suburb Comparison
Harkness for retirees and value.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Visual comparison
HarknessToolern Vale
Crime rate
Harkness
45.4 / 1k
Toolern Vale
168.7 / 1k
Nearby amenities
Harkness
34
Toolern Vale
9
Population
Harkness
12,463
Toolern Vale
818
Metric leadHarkness 8Toolern Vale 13 tiedacross 12 compared metrics
Livability profile
Desirability pillars scored 0–100 vs comparable suburbs
Quick verdicts
Clearer edge on lifestyle fit (score gap ≥ 3)
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 | Harkness | Toolern Vale |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 35.7/100 | 31.1/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 42.5/100 | 23.4/100 |
| Crime rate | 45.4 / 1k | 168.7 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | 1 | 1 |
| Weather (desirability) | 82.3/100 | 82.3/100 |
| Parks & reserves | 2 | 2 |
| Public transport stops | 33 | — |
| Walkability | 30.0/100 | 0.0/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 34 | 9 |
| Planning activity | 19 | 24 |
| Green cover | 4.4% | 3.1% |
| Population | 12,463 | 818 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 3/10 | 6/10 |
Comparison summary
Harkness reads as a practical metro established suburb with approachable housing and suburban calm; Toolern Vale is a practical metro smaller community with solid links to the wider city.
On the data, Harkness is stronger for housing affordability, a quieter safety profile, and walkability; Toolern Vale answers with stronger socioeconomic advantage. On housing, Harkness sits in a affordable band, compared with a well priced feel in Toolern Vale.
On balance, retirees, families, investors, value-focused buyers, and households prioritising schools are more likely to prefer Harkness, while Toolern Vale remains a solid alternative depending on what matters most day to day.
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.