Overall score
Kensington
44.1/100
Norwood
53.1/100
Kensington for families and investment; Norwood for retirees.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Overall score
Kensington
44.1/100
Norwood
53.1/100
Crime rate
Kensington
40.8 / 1k
Norwood
63.7 / 1k
Nearby amenities
Kensington
79
Norwood
685
Population
Kensington
1,808
Norwood
6,354
Desirability pillars scored 0–100 vs comparable suburbs
Clearer edge on lifestyle fit (score gap ≥ 3)
Who each suburb suits — composite scores out of 100
Side-by-side scores for every compared metric.
Exact figures for every metric — winner highlighted in bold.
| Category | Kensington | Norwood |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 44.1/100 | 53.1/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 53.3/100 | 52.5/100 |
| Crime rate | 40.8 / 1k | 63.7 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | 2 | 1 |
| Weather (desirability) | 37.3/100 | 37.3/100 |
| Public transport stops | 8 | 29 |
| Walkability | 20.0/100 | 100.0/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 79 | 685 |
| Planning activity | 25 | 119 |
| Green cover | 2.4% | 1.3% |
| Population | 1,808 | 6,354 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 7/10 | 10/10 |
Put side by side, Kensington is a lively metro smaller community with dining and everyday convenience close by, and Norwood is a well-serviced metro mid-sized suburb with plenty happening nearby.
Kensington pulls ahead on housing affordability, a quieter safety profile, and schools and education options, whereas Norwood is the better pick for public transport access, walkability, and nearby cafés and amenities.
Investors may find Kensington the better fit, while retirees, families, and value-focused buyers are more likely to prefer Norwood.
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.