Overall score
Marlo
49.2/100
Orbost
30.9/100
Marlo for retirees and families; Orbost for investment and value.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Overall score
Marlo
49.2/100
Orbost
30.9/100
Crime rate
Marlo
28.9 / 1k
Orbost
186.1 / 1k
Nearby amenities
Marlo
13
Orbost
7
Population
Marlo
602
Orbost
2,264
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 | Marlo | Orbost |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 49.2/100 | 30.9/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 42.3/100 | 61.7/100 |
| Crime rate | 28.9 / 1k | 186.1 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | 1 | 2 |
| Weather (desirability) | 82.3/100 | 82.3/100 |
| Parks & reserves | 2 | 2 |
| Public transport stops | 1 | 1 |
| Walkability | 1.5/100 | 1.5/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 13 | 7 |
| Planning activity | 15 | 14 |
| Green cover | 5.3% | 0.4% |
| Population | 602 | 2,264 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 6/10 | 1/10 |
Marlo is a coastal smaller community with an easy, sea-led rhythm, while Orbost is a slower-paced smaller community with open surrounds. Marlo leans into coastal living, while Orbost feels more inland and suburban in character.
On the data, Marlo is stronger for a quieter safety profile, nearby cafés and amenities, and overall desirability; Orbost answers with housing affordability, schools and education options, and a calmer planning outlook. Marlo generally means more mid-market housing value, while Orbost leans toward more approachable housing costs.
Marlo suits retirees, families, people chasing a beach lifestyle, and households prioritising schools more clearly, whereas Orbost is the stronger match for investors and value-focused buyers.
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.