Overall score
Highland Valley
56.7/100
Strathalbyn
50.4/100
Highland Valley for retirees and investment; Strathalbyn for families and schools.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Overall score
Highland Valley
56.7/100
Strathalbyn
50.4/100
Crime rate
Highland Valley
2.4 / 1k
Strathalbyn
17.9 / 1k
Nearby amenities
Highland Valley
0
Strathalbyn
1
Population
Highland Valley
384
Strathalbyn
7,246
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 | Highland Valley | Strathalbyn |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 56.7/100 | 50.4/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 91.7/100 | 83.2/100 |
| Crime rate | 2.4 / 1k | 17.9 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | — | 5 |
| Public transport stops | — | 17 |
| Walkability | 0.0/100 | 25.5/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 0 | 1 |
| Planning activity | 5 | 170 |
| Population | 384 | 7,246 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 9/10 | 3/10 |
Highland Valley reads as a quieter smaller community with space and a country-town pace; Strathalbyn is a quieter mid-sized suburb with space and a country-town pace.
On the data, Highland Valley is stronger for housing affordability and a quieter safety profile; Strathalbyn answers with walkability and nearby cafés and amenities. On housing, Highland Valley sits in a expensive band, compared with a affordable feel in Strathalbyn.
Choose Highland Valley if you are weighing retirees and families; lean toward Strathalbyn for investors and households prioritising schools.