Overall score
Melton
52.8/100
Toolern Vale
23.0/100
Melton for families and investment; Toolern Vale for retirees.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Overall score
Melton
52.8/100
Toolern Vale
23.0/100
Crime rate
Melton
207.6 / 1k
Toolern Vale
149.7 / 1k
Nearby amenities
Melton
27
Toolern Vale
8
Population
Melton
7,953
Toolern Vale
818
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 | Melton | Toolern Vale |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 52.8/100 | 23.0/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 60.6/100 | 17.2/100 |
| Crime rate | 207.6 / 1k | 149.7 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | 1 | 1 |
| Parks & reserves | 7 | 2 |
| Public transport stops | 59 | — |
| Walkability | 34.0/100 | 0.0/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 27 | 8 |
| Planning activity | 119 | 24 |
| Population | 7,953 | 818 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 1/10 | 6/10 |
Melton reads as a practical metro mid-sized suburb with approachable housing and suburban calm; Toolern Vale is a practical metro smaller community with solid links to the wider city.
Melton pulls ahead on housing affordability and parks and reserves, whereas Toolern Vale is the better pick for a quieter safety profile and a calmer planning outlook. Melton generally means more approachable housing costs, while Toolern Vale leans toward more mid-market housing value.
Choose Melton if you are weighing families and investors; lean toward Toolern Vale for retirees.