Overall score
James Creek
34.5/100
Maclean
49.5/100
James Creek vs Maclean, NSW suburb comparison
James Creek for retirees; Maclean for investment and schools.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Visual comparison
James CreekMaclean
Crime rate
James Creek
51.5 / 1k
Maclean
53.1 / 1k
Nearby amenities
James Creek
0
Maclean
31
Population
James Creek
257
Maclean
2,778
Metric leadJames Creek 4Maclean 5across 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 retireesJames Creek
- Best for investmentMaclean
- Best for best schoolsMaclean
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 | James Creek | Maclean |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 34.5/100 | 49.5/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 82.6/100 | 69.2/100 |
| Crime rate | 51.5 / 1k | 53.1 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | — | 4 |
| Parks & reserves | — | 6 |
| Public transport stops | 2 | 37 |
| Walkability | 3.0/100 | 32.0/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 0 | 31 |
| Planning activity | 11 | 22 |
| Population | 257 | 2,778 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 8/10 | 1/10 |
Comparison summary
Put side by side, James Creek is a more rural smaller community that rewards people who want room to breathe, and Maclean is a regional mid-sized suburb that feels self-contained without feeling remote.
James Creek tends to lead on housing affordability and a quieter safety profile, while Maclean stands out for public transport access and walkability. James Creek generally means more sought-after housing, while Maclean leans toward more approachable housing costs.
Choose James Creek if you are weighing retirees; lean toward Maclean for investors and households prioritising schools.