Overall score
Macdonald Park
22.9/100
Penfield Gardens
24.9/100
Macdonald Park for families; Penfield Gardens for investment and value.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Overall score
Macdonald Park
22.9/100
Penfield Gardens
24.9/100
Crime rate
Macdonald Park
61.9 / 1k
Penfield Gardens
103.9 / 1k
Nearby amenities
Macdonald Park
1
Penfield Gardens
0
Population
Macdonald Park
503
Penfield Gardens
304
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 | Macdonald Park | Penfield Gardens |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 22.9/100 | 24.9/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 46.5/100 | 76.0/100 |
| Crime rate | 61.9 / 1k | 103.9 / 1k |
| Public transport stops | — | 2 |
| Walkability | 0.0/100 | 3.0/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 1 | 0 |
| Planning activity | 11 | 1 |
| Population | 503 | 304 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 5/10 | 4/10 |
Macdonald Park is a well-connected metro smaller community with a familiar suburban feel, while Penfield Gardens is a settled metro smaller community that balances access with everyday calm.
Macdonald Park tends to lead on a quieter safety profile and nearby cafés and amenities, while Penfield Gardens stands out for housing affordability and walkability.
Choose Macdonald Park if you are weighing families; lean toward Penfield Gardens for value-focused buyers.