Overall score
Indented Head
46.0/100
Portarlington
45.2/100
Indented Head vs Portarlington, VIC suburb comparison
Indented Head for retirees and families; Portarlington for investment and schools.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Visual comparison
Indented HeadPortarlington
Crime rate
Indented Head
22.8 / 1k
Portarlington
36.3 / 1k
Nearby amenities
Indented Head
19
Portarlington
1
Population
Indented Head
1,391
Portarlington
4,436
Metric leadIndented Head 6Portarlington 21 tiedacross 9 compared metrics
Livability profile
Desirability pillars scored 0–100 vs comparable suburbs
Quick verdicts
Clearer edge on lifestyle fit (score gap ≥ 3)
- Best for retireesIndented Head
- Best for familiesIndented Head
- Best for beach lifestyleIndented Head
- Best for investmentPortarlington
- Best for best valueIndented Head
- Best for best schoolsPortarlington
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 | Indented Head | Portarlington |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 46.0/100 | 45.2/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 51.8/100 | 36.7/100 |
| Crime rate | 22.8 / 1k | 36.3 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | — | 1 |
| Parks & reserves | — | 9 |
| Public transport stops | 22 | 36 |
| Walkability | 30.0/100 | 30.0/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 19 | 1 |
| Planning activity | 14 | 104 |
| Population | 1,391 | 4,436 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 6/10 | 4/10 |
Comparison summary
Put side by side, Indented Head is a coastal smaller community with an easy, sea-led rhythm, and Portarlington is a coastal mid-sized suburb with an easy, sea-led rhythm. Portarlington sits among greener hillside streets, while Indented Head keeps a flatter suburban layout.
Indented Head tends to lead on housing affordability and nearby cafés and amenities, while Portarlington stands out for a quieter safety profile and public transport access.
Choose Indented Head if you are weighing families and people chasing a beach lifestyle; lean toward Portarlington for investors and households prioritising schools.