Overall score
Johnston
43.8/100
Palmerston City
—
Johnston vs Palmerston City, NT suburb comparison
Johnston for retirees and families.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Visual comparison
JohnstonPalmerston City
Nearby amenities
Johnston
30
Palmerston City
158
Population
Johnston
2,386
Palmerston City
194
Metric leadJohnston 4Palmerston City 3across 7 compared metrics
Livability profile
Desirability pillars scored 0–100 vs comparable suburbs
Quick verdicts
Clearer edge on lifestyle fit (score gap ≥ 3)
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 | Johnston | Palmerston City |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 43.8/100 | — |
| Housing (desirability) | 22.4/100 | — |
| Schools & preschools | 3 | 4 |
| Parks & reserves | 4 | 1 |
| Public transport stops | 8 | 7 |
| Walkability | 41.0/100 | 76.5/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 30 | 158 |
| Population | 2,386 | 194 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 7/10 | 5/10 |
Comparison summary
Johnston is a practical metro smaller community with solid links to the wider city, while Palmerston City is a residential smaller community with a settled community character.
Johnston pulls ahead on a quieter safety profile and parks and reserves, whereas Palmerston City is the better pick for walkability and nearby cafés and amenities.
On balance, retirees and families are more likely to prefer Johnston, while Palmerston City remains a solid alternative depending on what matters most day to day.