Overall score
Monbulk
55.2/100
Olinda
42.9/100
Monbulk for retirees and families.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Overall score
Monbulk
55.2/100
Olinda
42.9/100
Crime rate
Monbulk
29.7 / 1k
Olinda
56.3 / 1k
Nearby amenities
Monbulk
16
Olinda
314
Population
Monbulk
3,651
Olinda
1,773
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 | Monbulk | Olinda |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 55.2/100 | 42.9/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 72.6/100 | 29.0/100 |
| Crime rate | 29.7 / 1k | 56.3 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | 3 | 1 |
| Parks & reserves | 4 | 10 |
| Public transport stops | 16 | 18 |
| Walkability | 24.0/100 | 62.0/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 16 | 314 |
| Planning activity | 46 | 43 |
| Population | 3,651 | 1,773 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 7/10 | 9/10 |
Monbulk is a hillside mid-sized suburb with greener streets and a quieter pace, while Olinda is a leafier hillside smaller community with elevated outlooks. Monbulk sits further out with more breathing room, whereas Olinda is in a middle-ring position.
Monbulk pulls ahead on housing affordability and schools and education options, whereas Olinda is the better pick for a quieter safety profile and parks and reserves. On housing, Monbulk sits in a well priced band, compared with a expensive feel in Olinda.
On balance, retirees and families are more likely to prefer Monbulk, while Olinda remains a solid alternative depending on what matters most day to day.