Overall score
Monbulk
55.2/100
The Patch
47.1/100
Monbulk for families and schools; The Patch for retirees.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Overall score
Monbulk
55.2/100
The Patch
47.1/100
Crime rate
Monbulk
29.7 / 1k
The Patch
12.8 / 1k
Nearby amenities
Monbulk
16
The Patch
17
Population
Monbulk
3,651
The Patch
1,046
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 | The Patch |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 55.2/100 | 47.1/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 72.6/100 | 76.0/100 |
| Crime rate | 29.7 / 1k | 12.8 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | 3 | 2 |
| Parks & reserves | 4 | — |
| Public transport stops | 16 | 9 |
| Walkability | 24.0/100 | 13.5/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 16 | 17 |
| Planning activity | 46 | 27 |
| Population | 3,651 | 1,046 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 7/10 | 9/10 |
Put side by side, Monbulk is a hillside mid-sized suburb with greener streets and a quieter pace, and The Patch is a hills smaller community where tree cover and calm define the mood.
On the data, Monbulk is stronger for schools and education options and public transport access; The Patch answers with housing affordability and a quieter safety profile. Monbulk generally means more mid-market housing value, while The Patch leans toward more sought-after housing.
Households prioritising schools may find Monbulk the better fit, while retirees are more likely to prefer The Patch.