Overall score
Lockington
38.9/100
Rochester
49.5/100
Lockington for retirees and families; Rochester for investment and value.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Overall score
Lockington
38.9/100
Rochester
49.5/100
Crime rate
Lockington
21.2 / 1k
Rochester
61.5 / 1k
Nearby amenities
Lockington
0
Rochester
5
Population
Lockington
850
Rochester
3,154
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 | Lockington | Rochester |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 38.9/100 | 49.5/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 56.6/100 | 75.4/100 |
| Crime rate | 21.2 / 1k | 61.5 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | 1 | 3 |
| Parks & reserves | 3 | 6 |
| Public transport stops | 2 | 24 |
| Walkability | 3.0/100 | 30.0/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 0 | 5 |
| Planning activity | 5 | 51 |
| Population | 850 | 3,154 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 2/10 | 2/10 |
Lockington reads as a more rural smaller community that rewards people who want room to breathe; Rochester is a quieter mid-sized suburb with space and a country-town pace.
On the data, Lockington is stronger for a quieter safety profile and a calmer planning outlook; Rochester answers with housing affordability and schools and education options.
Retirees may find Lockington the better fit, while investors and value-focused buyers are more likely to prefer Rochester.