Overall score
Magpie
36.1/100
Mount Helen
53.5/100
Magpie for schools; Mount Helen for retirees and families.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Overall score
Magpie
36.1/100
Mount Helen
53.5/100
Crime rate
Magpie
76.7 / 1k
Mount Helen
33.0 / 1k
Nearby amenities
Magpie
1
Mount Helen
78
Population
Magpie
368
Mount Helen
3,011
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 | Magpie | Mount Helen |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 36.1/100 | 53.5/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 91.7/100 | 78.5/100 |
| Crime rate | 76.7 / 1k | 33.0 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | 2 | 1 |
| Parks & reserves | — | 1 |
| Public transport stops | — | 19 |
| Walkability | 0.0/100 | 32.5/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 1 | 78 |
| Planning activity | 3 | 30 |
| Population | 368 | 3,011 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 7/10 | 8/10 |
Magpie reads as a slower-paced smaller community with open surrounds; Mount Helen is a hillside mid-sized suburb with greener streets and a quieter pace. Mount Helen sits among greener hillside streets, while Magpie keeps a flatter suburban layout.
On the data, Magpie is stronger for housing affordability and a quieter safety profile; Mount Helen answers with walkability and nearby cafés and amenities.
Magpie suits households prioritising schools more clearly, whereas Mount Helen is the stronger match for retirees and investors.