Overall score
Maitland Vale
47.8/100
Rutherford
39.9/100
Maitland Vale for value and schools; Rutherford for retirees.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Overall score
Maitland Vale
47.8/100
Rutherford
39.9/100
Crime rate
Maitland Vale
94.6 / 1k
Rutherford
95.4 / 1k
Nearby amenities
Maitland Vale
1
Rutherford
376
Population
Maitland Vale
281
Rutherford
13,091
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 Vale | Rutherford |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 47.8/100 | 39.9/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 48.9/100 | 64.5/100 |
| Crime rate | 94.6 / 1k | 95.4 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | — | 3 |
| Weather (desirability) | 60.5/100 | 60.5/100 |
| Parks & reserves | — | 4 |
| Public transport stops | 6 | 262 |
| Walkability | 9.0/100 | 85.0/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 1 | 376 |
| Planning activity | 8 | 61 |
| Green cover | 11.6% | 4.5% |
| Population | 281 | 13,091 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 9/10 | 2/10 |
Maitland Vale reads as a slower-paced smaller community with open surrounds; Rutherford is a well-serviced metro established suburb with plenty happening nearby. Maitland Vale sits more regionally self-contained, whereas Rutherford is in a middle-ring position.
Maitland Vale pulls ahead on housing affordability, a quieter safety profile, and a calmer planning outlook, whereas Rutherford is the better pick for public transport access, walkability, and nearby cafés and amenities.
Choose Maitland Vale if you are weighing retirees and investors; lean toward Rutherford for families, value-focused buyers, and households prioritising schools.
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.