Overall score
James Creek
39.1/100
Maclean
42.5/100
James Creek vs Maclean, NSW Suburb Comparison
James Creek for value and schools; Maclean for retirees and families.
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
1
Maclean
36
Population
James Creek
257
Maclean
2,778
Metric leadJames Creek 3Maclean 71 tiedacross 11 compared metrics
Livability profile
Desirability pillars scored 0–100 vs comparable suburbs
Quick verdicts
Clearer edge on lifestyle fit (score gap ≥ 3)
- Best for retireesMaclean
- Best for familiesMaclean
- Best for investmentMaclean
- Best for best valueJames Creek
- Best for best schoolsJames Creek
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 | 39.1/100 | 42.5/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 51.6/100 | 65.1/100 |
| Crime rate | 51.5 / 1k | 53.1 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | — | 4 |
| Weather (desirability) | 64.0/100 | 64.0/100 |
| Parks & reserves | — | 6 |
| Public transport stops | 2 | 37 |
| Walkability | 3.0/100 | 32.0/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 1 | 36 |
| Planning activity | 11 | 27 |
| Green cover | 0.0% | 0.6% |
| 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, a quieter safety profile, and a calmer planning outlook, while Maclean stands out for public transport access, walkability, and nearby cafés and amenities.
Choose James Creek if you are weighing retirees; lean toward Maclean for investors and households prioritising schools.
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.