Overall score
Maddingley
38.9/100
Merrimu
35.0/100
Maddingley for retirees and families; Merrimu for schools.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Overall score
Maddingley
38.9/100
Merrimu
35.0/100
Crime rate
Maddingley
76.0 / 1k
Merrimu
66.2 / 1k
Nearby amenities
Maddingley
61
Merrimu
0
Population
Maddingley
5,491
Merrimu
397
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 | Maddingley | Merrimu |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 38.9/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 57.0/100 | 31.6/100 |
| Crime rate | 76.0 / 1k | 66.2 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | 2 | — |
| Weather (desirability) | 82.3/100 | 82.3/100 |
| Parks & reserves | 6 | — |
| Public transport stops | 24 | — |
| Walkability | 30.0/100 | 0.0/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 61 | 0 |
| Planning activity | 53 | 11 |
| Green cover | 7.0% | 0.3% |
| Population | 5,491 | 397 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 6/10 | 7/10 |
Maddingley reads as a well-serviced metro mid-sized suburb with plenty happening nearby; Merrimu is a slower-paced smaller community with open surrounds. Maddingley sits in a middle-ring position, whereas Merrimu is more regionally self-contained.
Maddingley pulls ahead on housing affordability, walkability, and nearby cafés and amenities, whereas Merrimu is the better pick for a quieter safety profile, a calmer planning outlook, and stronger socioeconomic advantage. Maddingley generally means more approachable mid-market housing, while Merrimu leans toward housing toward the upper end of the market.
Choose Maddingley if you are weighing investors, value-focused buyers, and households prioritising schools; lean toward Merrimu for retirees and families.
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.