Overall score
Monterey
44.5/100
Rockdale
53.6/100
Monterey for families and value; Rockdale for retirees and investment.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Overall score
Monterey
44.5/100
Rockdale
53.6/100
Crime rate
Monterey
59.6 / 1k
Rockdale
53.9 / 1k
Nearby amenities
Monterey
85
Rockdale
269
Population
Monterey
4,619
Rockdale
15,475
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 | Monterey | Rockdale |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 44.5/100 | 53.6/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 55.3/100 | 39.4/100 |
| Crime rate | 59.6 / 1k | 53.9 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | 12 | 22 |
| Weather (desirability) | 82.3/100 | 82.3/100 |
| Parks & reserves | 3 | 6 |
| Public transport stops | 53 | 99 |
| Walkability | 38.0/100 | 100.0/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 85 | 269 |
| Planning activity | 7 | 23 |
| Green cover | 19.4% | 9.5% |
| Population | 4,619 | 15,475 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 9/10 | 7/10 |
Monterey reads as an energetic metro mid-sized suburb where cafés and local life overlap; Rockdale is a lively metro established suburb with dining and everyday convenience close by.
On the data, Monterey is stronger for housing affordability, a calmer planning outlook, and stronger socioeconomic advantage; Rockdale answers with a quieter safety profile, schools and education options, and parks and reserves.
Retirees, families, investors, and households prioritising schools may find Monterey the better fit, while value-focused buyers are more likely to prefer Rockdale.
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.