Overall score
Lilydale
70.8/100
Mooroolbark
76.8/100
Mooroolbark for retirees and families.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Overall score
Lilydale
70.8/100
Mooroolbark
76.8/100
Crime rate
Lilydale
87.1 / 1k
Mooroolbark
43.1 / 1k
Nearby amenities
Lilydale
253
Mooroolbark
539
Population
Lilydale
17,348
Mooroolbark
23,059
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 | Lilydale | Mooroolbark |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 70.8/100 | 76.8/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 66.1/100 | 66.4/100 |
| Crime rate | 87.1 / 1k | 43.1 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | 3 | 10 |
| Parks & reserves | 19 | 31 |
| Public transport stops | 108 | 54 |
| Walkability | 90.0/100 | 100.0/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 253 | 539 |
| Planning activity | 224 | 248 |
| Population | 17,348 | 23,059 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 7/10 | 7/10 |
Lilydale reads as a hills established suburb where tree cover and calm define the mood; Mooroolbark is a leafier hillside established suburb with elevated outlooks.
Lilydale pulls ahead on public transport access and a calmer planning outlook, whereas Mooroolbark is the better pick for housing affordability and a quieter safety profile. Lilydale generally means more sought-after housing, while Mooroolbark leans toward more mid-market housing value.
On balance, retirees and families are more likely to prefer Mooroolbark, while Lilydale remains a solid alternative depending on what matters most day to day.