Overall score
Highton
77.3/100
Waurn Ponds
51.2/100
Highton for retirees and families.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Overall score
Highton
77.3/100
Waurn Ponds
51.2/100
Crime rate
Highton
24.2 / 1k
Waurn Ponds
50.6 / 1k
Nearby amenities
Highton
474
Waurn Ponds
133
Population
Highton
20,736
Waurn Ponds
4,956
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 | Highton | Waurn Ponds |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 77.3/100 | 51.2/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 61.6/100 | 66.1/100 |
| Crime rate | 24.2 / 1k | 50.6 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | 7 | — |
| Parks & reserves | 22 | 5 |
| Public transport stops | 74 | 18 |
| Walkability | 94.0/100 | 27.0/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 474 | 133 |
| Planning activity | 109 | 30 |
| Population | 20,736 | 4,956 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 9/10 | 9/10 |
Highton is a lively metro established suburb with dining and everyday convenience close by, while Waurn Ponds is a lively metro mid-sized suburb with dining and everyday convenience close by.
Highton tends to lead on parks and reserves and public transport access, while Waurn Ponds stands out for housing affordability and a quieter safety profile.
On balance, families and value-focused buyers are more likely to prefer Highton, while Waurn Ponds remains a solid alternative depending on what matters most day to day.