Overall score
McDowall
58.3/100
Stafford Heights
58.4/100
McDowall vs Stafford Heights, QLD Suburb Comparison
McDowall for retirees and families; Stafford Heights for investment.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Visual comparison
McDowallStafford Heights
Crime rate
McDowall
60.5 / 1k
Stafford Heights
60.6 / 1k
Nearby amenities
McDowall
213
Stafford Heights
125
Population
McDowall
7,612
Stafford Heights
6,992
Metric leadMcDowall 6Stafford Heights 51 tiedacross 12 compared metrics
Livability profile
Desirability pillars scored 0–100 vs comparable suburbs
Quick verdicts
Clearer edge on lifestyle fit (score gap ≥ 3)
- Best for retireesMcDowall
- Best for familiesMcDowall
- Best for investmentStafford Heights
- Best for best schoolsMcDowall
Audience fit
Who each suburb suits — composite scores out of 100
All metrics
Side-by-side scores for every compared metric.
Full comparison table
Exact figures for every metric — winner highlighted in bold.
| Category | McDowall | Stafford Heights |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 58.3/100 | 58.4/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 55.2/100 | 65.8/100 |
| Crime rate | 60.5 / 1k | 60.6 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | 4 | 9 |
| Weather (desirability) | 31.2/100 | 31.2/100 |
| Parks & reserves | 14 | 9 |
| Public transport stops | 21 | 34 |
| Walkability | 57.0/100 | 63.0/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 213 | 125 |
| Green cover | 28.4% | 7.1% |
| Population | 7,612 | 6,992 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 10/10 | 8/10 |
Comparison summary
McDowall is a well-serviced metro mid-sized suburb with plenty happening nearby, while Stafford Heights is a hillside mid-sized suburb with greener streets and a quieter pace. Stafford Heights sits among greener hillside streets, while McDowall keeps a flatter suburban layout.
McDowall tends to lead on parks and reserves, nearby cafés and amenities, and a larger local community, while Stafford Heights stands out for a quieter safety profile, schools and education options, and public transport access.
On balance, retirees and households prioritising schools are more likely to prefer McDowall, while Stafford Heights remains a solid alternative depending on what matters most day to day.
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.