Overall score
McKellar
42.0/100
Melba
59.8/100
Melba for retirees and families.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Overall score
McKellar
42.0/100
Melba
59.8/100
Crime rate
McKellar
13.5 / 1k
Melba
12.6 / 1k
Nearby amenities
McKellar
60
Melba
120
Population
McKellar
2,740
Melba
3,383
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 | McKellar | Melba |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 42.0/100 | 59.8/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 57.4/100 | 59.3/100 |
| Crime rate | 13.5 / 1k | 12.6 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | 4 | 6 |
| Weather (desirability) | 51.2/100 | 51.2/100 |
| Parks & reserves | 1 | — |
| Walkability | 34.0/100 | 61.0/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 60 | 120 |
| Planning activity | 5 | 3 |
| Green cover | 7.9% | 20.3% |
| Population | 2,740 | 3,383 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 10/10 | 9/10 |
McKellar reads as a lively metro mid-sized suburb with dining and everyday convenience close by; Melba is an energetic metro mid-sized suburb where cafés and local life overlap. McKellar sits closer to the city centre, whereas Melba is in a middle-ring position.
On the data, McKellar is stronger for stronger socioeconomic advantage; Melba answers with a quieter safety profile, schools and education options, and walkability.
On balance, families, investors, value-focused buyers, and households prioritising schools are more likely to prefer Melba, while McKellar 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.