Overall score
Houghton
45.6/100
Montacute
52.5/100
Houghton for investment; Montacute for retirees and families.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Overall score
Houghton
45.6/100
Montacute
52.5/100
Crime rate
Houghton
25.9 / 1k
Montacute
5.8 / 1k
Nearby amenities
Houghton
5
Montacute
10
Population
Houghton
511
Montacute
332
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 | Houghton | Montacute |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 45.6/100 | 52.5/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 56.9/100 | 44.4/100 |
| Crime rate | 25.9 / 1k | 5.8 / 1k |
| Weather (desirability) | 37.3/100 | 37.3/100 |
| Parks & reserves | — | 1 |
| Public transport stops | 1 | — |
| Walkability | 1.5/100 | 0.0/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 5 | 10 |
| Planning activity | 9 | 4 |
| Green cover | 18.8% | 53.1% |
| Population | 511 | 332 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 9/10 | 10/10 |
Houghton reads as a leafier hillside smaller community with elevated outlooks; Montacute is a hills smaller community where tree cover and calm define the mood. Houghton sits in a middle-ring position, whereas Montacute is within day-trip reach of the capital.
Houghton pulls ahead on housing affordability, walkability, and a larger local community, whereas Montacute is the better pick for a quieter safety profile, nearby cafés and amenities, and tree cover and green space.
Investors may find Houghton the better fit, while retirees, families, and value-focused buyers are more likely to prefer Montacute.
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.