Overall score
Katoomba
57.0/100
Penrith
53.9/100
Katoomba vs Penrith, NSW Suburb Comparison
Katoomba for retirees and investment.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Visual comparison
KatoombaPenrith
Crime rate
Katoomba
82.6 / 1k
Penrith
154.3 / 1k
Nearby amenities
Katoomba
782
Penrith
1,122
Population
Katoomba
8,268
Penrith
17,966
Metric leadKatoomba 4Penrith 63 tiedacross 13 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 | Katoomba | Penrith |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 57.0/100 | 53.9/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 48.4/100 | 53.1/100 |
| Crime rate | 82.6 / 1k | 154.3 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | 3 | 5 |
| Weather (desirability) | 82.3/100 | 82.3/100 |
| Parks & reserves | 23 | 23 |
| Public transport stops | 242 | 280 |
| Walkability | 100.0/100 | 100.0/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 782 | 1,122 |
| Planning activity | 67 | 71 |
| Green cover | 10.1% | 11.1% |
| Population | 8,268 | 17,966 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 4/10 | 3/10 |
Comparison summary
Katoomba is a hillside established suburb with greener streets and a quieter pace, while Penrith is a well-serviced metro established suburb with plenty happening nearby. Katoomba sits among greener hillside streets, while Penrith keeps a flatter suburban layout.
On the data, Katoomba is stronger for housing affordability, a quieter safety profile, and a calmer planning outlook; Penrith answers with schools and education options, public transport access, and nearby cafés and amenities.
On balance, retirees, families, investors, value-focused buyers, and households prioritising schools are more likely to prefer Penrith, while Katoomba remains a solid alternative depending on what matters most day to day.
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.