Overall score
Long Forest
50.1/100
Merrimu
40.1/100
Long Forest vs Merrimu, VIC suburb comparison
Long Forest for investment and value.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Visual comparison
Long ForestMerrimu
Crime rate
Long Forest
29.0 / 1k
Merrimu
45.7 / 1k
Nearby amenities
Long Forest
2
Merrimu
0
Population
Long Forest
343
Merrimu
397
Metric leadLong Forest 5Merrimu 12 tiedacross 8 compared metrics
Livability profile
Desirability pillars scored 0–100 vs comparable suburbs
Quick verdicts
Clearer edge on lifestyle fit (score gap ≥ 3)
- Best for investmentLong Forest
- Best for best valueLong Forest
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 | Long Forest | Merrimu |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 50.1/100 | 40.1/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 91.7/100 | 54.4/100 |
| Crime rate | 29.0 / 1k | 45.7 / 1k |
| Walkability | 0.0/100 | 0.0/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 2 | 0 |
| Planning activity | 4 | 11 |
| Population | 343 | 397 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 7/10 | 7/10 |
Comparison summary
Long Forest reads as a slower-paced smaller community with open surrounds; Merrimu is a slower-paced smaller community with open surrounds. Long Forest sits within day-trip reach of the capital, whereas Merrimu is more regionally self-contained.
On the data, Long Forest is stronger for housing affordability and a quieter safety profile; Merrimu answers with a larger local community.
Investors and value-focused buyers may find Long Forest the better fit, while retirees and families are more likely to prefer Merrimu.