Overall score
McLaren Vale
49.0/100
Old Noarlunga
33.1/100
McLaren Vale for retirees and families; Old Noarlunga for investment and value.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Overall score
McLaren Vale
49.0/100
Old Noarlunga
33.1/100
Crime rate
McLaren Vale
28.5 / 1k
Old Noarlunga
99.1 / 1k
Nearby amenities
McLaren Vale
169
Old Noarlunga
61
Population
McLaren Vale
4,061
Old Noarlunga
1,531
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 | McLaren Vale | Old Noarlunga |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 49.0/100 | 33.1/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 58.4/100 | 67.7/100 |
| Crime rate | 28.5 / 1k | 99.1 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | 2 | 1 |
| Weather (desirability) | 56.4/100 | 56.4/100 |
| Public transport stops | 26 | 15 |
| Walkability | 100.0/100 | 38.5/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 169 | 61 |
| Planning activity | 81 | 26 |
| Green cover | 2.1% | 0.4% |
| Population | 4,061 | 1,531 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 6/10 | 2/10 |
Put side by side, McLaren Vale is a well-serviced metro mid-sized suburb with plenty happening nearby, and Old Noarlunga is an energetic metro smaller community where cafés and local life overlap.
McLaren Vale tends to lead on a quieter safety profile, schools and education options, and public transport access, while Old Noarlunga stands out for housing affordability and a calmer planning outlook. On housing, McLaren Vale sits in a expensive band, compared with a affordable feel in Old Noarlunga.
Retirees, families, value-focused buyers, and households prioritising schools may find McLaren Vale the better fit, while investors are more likely to prefer Old Noarlunga.
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.