Overall score
Kirkwood
44.7/100
New Auckland
38.7/100
Kirkwood for retirees and families; New Auckland for schools.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Overall score
Kirkwood
44.7/100
New Auckland
38.7/100
Crime rate
Kirkwood
54.4 / 1k
New Auckland
54.3 / 1k
Nearby amenities
Kirkwood
8
New Auckland
25
Population
Kirkwood
2,513
New Auckland
5,266
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 | Kirkwood | New Auckland |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 44.7/100 | 38.7/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 66.7/100 | 43.4/100 |
| Crime rate | 54.4 / 1k | 54.3 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | — | 2 |
| Parks & reserves | 2 | 11 |
| Walkability | 28.5/100 | 1.5/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 8 | 25 |
| Population | 2,513 | 5,266 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 5/10 | 3/10 |
Put side by side, Kirkwood is a more rural mid-sized suburb that rewards people who want room to breathe, and New Auckland is a regional hub with its own identity and everyday convenience.
Kirkwood pulls ahead on housing affordability and a quieter safety profile, whereas New Auckland is the better pick for parks and reserves and nearby cafés and amenities. Kirkwood generally means more sought-after housing, while New Auckland leans toward more approachable housing costs.
On balance, retirees and investors are more likely to prefer Kirkwood, while New Auckland remains a solid alternative depending on what matters most day to day.