Overall score
Macdonald Park
22.9/100
Penfield
15.9/100
Macdonald Park vs Penfield, SA suburb comparison
Macdonald Park for retirees and investment; Penfield for families.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Visual comparison
Macdonald ParkPenfield
Crime rate
Macdonald Park
61.9 / 1k
Penfield
72.8 / 1k
Nearby amenities
Macdonald Park
1
Penfield
6
Population
Macdonald Park
503
Penfield
422
Metric leadMacdonald Park 5Penfield 3across 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 retireesMacdonald Park
- Best for familiesPenfield
- Best for investmentMacdonald Park
- 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 | 22.9/100 | 15.9/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 46.5/100 | 17.6/100 |
| Crime rate | 61.9 / 1k | 72.8 / 1k |
| Public transport stops | — | 6 |
| Walkability | 0.0/100 | 9.0/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 1 | 6 |
| Planning activity | 11 | 4 |
| Population | 503 | 422 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 5/10 | 2/10 |
Comparison summary
Put side by side, Macdonald Park is a well-connected metro smaller community with a familiar suburban feel, and Penfield is a settled metro smaller community that keeps everyday living grounded and accessible.
Macdonald Park tends to lead on housing affordability and a quieter safety profile, while Penfield stands out for walkability and nearby cafés and amenities. On housing, Macdonald Park sits in a expensive band, compared with a affordable feel in Penfield.
Retirees and investors may find Macdonald Park the better fit, while families are more likely to prefer Penfield.