Overall score
Maitland
59.8/100
Newcastle
63.4/100
Maitland for investment and value; Newcastle for retirees and families.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Overall score
Maitland
59.8/100
Newcastle
63.4/100
Crime rate
Maitland
95.4 / 1k
Newcastle
217.8 / 1k
Nearby amenities
Maitland
331
Newcastle
673
Population
Maitland
1,972
Newcastle
3,852
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 | Maitland | Newcastle |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 59.8/100 | 63.4/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 49.0/100 | 22.3/100 |
| Crime rate | 95.4 / 1k | 217.8 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | 5 | 6 |
| Parks & reserves | 5 | 8 |
| Public transport stops | 112 | 56 |
| Walkability | 100.0/100 | 100.0/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 331 | 673 |
| Planning activity | 29 | 26 |
| Population | 1,972 | 3,852 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 2/10 | 10/10 |
Maitland reads as a well-serviced metro smaller community with plenty happening nearby; Newcastle is a coastal mid-sized suburb with an easy, sea-led rhythm. Where Newcastle is shaped by the coast, Maitland offers a more landlocked suburban rhythm.
Maitland pulls ahead on housing affordability and a quieter safety profile, whereas Newcastle is the better pick for parks and reserves and nearby cafés and amenities. On housing, Maitland sits in a affordable band, compared with a expensive feel in Newcastle.
Maitland suits families and investors more clearly, whereas Newcastle is the stronger match for retirees and people chasing a beach lifestyle.