Overall score
Macdonald Park
19.7/100
Penfield
17.0/100
Macdonald Park vs Penfield, SA Suburb Comparison
Macdonald Park for retirees and families; Penfield for investment.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Visual comparison
Macdonald ParkPenfield
Crime rate
Macdonald Park
36.9 / 1k
Penfield
72.8 / 1k
Nearby amenities
Macdonald Park
4
Penfield
10
Population
Macdonald Park
503
Penfield
422
Metric leadMacdonald Park 4Penfield 42 tiedacross 10 compared metrics
Livability profile
Desirability pillars scored 0–100 vs comparable suburbs
Quick verdicts
Clearer edge on lifestyle fit (score gap ≥ 3)
- Best for retireesMacdonald Park
- Best for familiesMacdonald Park
- Best for investmentPenfield
- Best for best valueMacdonald Park
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 | Macdonald Park | Penfield |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 19.7/100 | 17.0/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 43.5/100 | 55.1/100 |
| Crime rate | 36.9 / 1k | 72.8 / 1k |
| Weather (desirability) | 37.3/100 | 37.3/100 |
| Public transport stops | — | 6 |
| Walkability | 0.0/100 | 9.0/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 4 | 10 |
| Planning activity | 14 | 4 |
| Green cover | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Population | 503 | 422 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 5/10 | 2/10 |
Comparison summary
Put side by side, Macdonald Park is a metro smaller community with a gently premium housing feel and familiar suburban calm, and Penfield is a settled metro smaller community that keeps everyday living grounded and accessible.
Macdonald Park tends to lead on housing affordability, a quieter safety profile, and overall desirability, while Penfield stands out for walkability, nearby cafés and amenities, and a calmer planning outlook. On housing, Macdonald Park sits in a expensive band, compared with a affordable feel in Penfield.
On balance, retirees, families, investors, and value-focused buyers are more likely to prefer Macdonald Park, while Penfield remains a solid alternative depending on what matters most day to day.
Generated from the official metrics on this page. It can omit nuance or contain errors — check the tables and source notes before relying on it.