Overall score
Sydney
58.3/100
Melbourne
52.7/100
Sydney vs Melbourne Suburb Comparison (NSW vs VIC)
Sydney for retirees and families.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Visual comparison
SydneyMelbourne
Crime rate
Sydney
450.7 / 1k
Melbourne
334.5 / 1k
Nearby amenities
Sydney
4,123
Melbourne
2,530
Population
Sydney
16,667
Melbourne
54,941
Metric leadSydney 5Melbourne 53 tiedacross 13 compared metrics
Livability profile
Desirability pillars scored 0–100 vs comparable suburbs
Quick verdicts
Clearer edge on lifestyle fit (score gap ≥ 3)
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 | Sydney | Melbourne |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 58.3/100 | 52.7/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 47.0/100 | 46.9/100 |
| Crime rate | 450.7 / 1k | 334.5 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | 20 | 11 |
| Weather (desirability) | 82.3/100 | 82.3/100 |
| Parks & reserves | 16 | 19 |
| Public transport stops | 343 | 400 |
| Walkability | 100.0/100 | 100.0/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 4,123 | 2,530 |
| Planning activity | 334 | 640 |
| Green cover | 14.2% | 23.6% |
| Population | 16,667 | 54,941 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 10/10 | 10/10 |
Comparison summary
Sydney (NSW) is a well-serviced metro established suburb with plenty happening nearby, while Melbourne (VIC) is a well-serviced metro larger suburb with plenty happening nearby.
Sydney pulls ahead on housing affordability, schools and education options, and nearby cafés and amenities, whereas Melbourne is the better pick for a quieter safety profile, parks and reserves, and public transport access.
On balance, retirees, families, investors, value-focused buyers, and households prioritising schools are more likely to prefer Sydney, while Melbourne 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.