Overall score
Hopetoun Park
53.1/100
Merrimu
40.1/100
Hopetoun Park for retirees and investment.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Overall score
Hopetoun Park
53.1/100
Merrimu
40.1/100
Crime rate
Hopetoun Park
42.7 / 1k
Merrimu
45.7 / 1k
Nearby amenities
Hopetoun Park
7
Merrimu
0
Population
Hopetoun Park
914
Merrimu
397
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 | Hopetoun Park | Merrimu |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 53.1/100 | 40.1/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 91.7/100 | 54.4/100 |
| Crime rate | 42.7 / 1k | 45.7 / 1k |
| Walkability | 0.0/100 | 0.0/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 7 | 0 |
| Planning activity | 12 | 11 |
| Population | 914 | 397 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 8/10 | 7/10 |
Hopetoun Park is a slower-paced smaller community with open surrounds, while Merrimu is a slower-paced smaller community with open surrounds. Hopetoun Park sits within day-trip reach of the capital, whereas Merrimu is more regionally self-contained.
On the data, Hopetoun Park is stronger for housing affordability and nearby cafés and amenities; Merrimu answers with a quieter safety profile and a calmer planning outlook.
Investors and value-focused buyers may find Hopetoun Park the better fit, while families are more likely to prefer Merrimu.