Overall score
Mount Barker
60.9/100
Wistow
29.7/100
Mount Barker vs Wistow, SA suburb comparison
Mount Barker for retirees and families; Wistow for investment.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Visual comparison
Mount BarkerWistow
Crime rate
Mount Barker
29.4 / 1k
Wistow
31.2 / 1k
Nearby amenities
Mount Barker
250
Wistow
0
Population
Mount Barker
18,330
Wistow
285
Metric leadMount Barker 6Wistow 3across 9 compared metrics
Livability profile
Desirability pillars scored 0–100 vs comparable suburbs
Quick verdicts
Clearer edge on lifestyle fit (score gap ≥ 3)
- Best for retireesMount Barker
- Best for familiesMount Barker
- Best for investmentWistow
- Best for best valueMount Barker
- Best for best schoolsMount Barker
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 | Mount Barker | Wistow |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 60.9/100 | 29.7/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 47.6/100 | 57.9/100 |
| Crime rate | 29.4 / 1k | 31.2 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | 9 | — |
| Public transport stops | 64 | 2 |
| Walkability | 80.0/100 | 3.0/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 250 | 0 |
| Planning activity | 450 | 13 |
| Population | 18,330 | 285 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 6/10 | 7/10 |
Comparison summary
Put side by side, Mount Barker is a leafier hillside established suburb with elevated outlooks, and Wistow is a quieter smaller community with space and a country-town pace. Mount Barker sits among greener hillside streets, while Wistow keeps a flatter suburban layout.
On the data, Mount Barker is stronger for a quieter safety profile and public transport access; Wistow answers with housing affordability and a calmer planning outlook. Mount Barker generally means more sought-after housing, while Wistow leans toward more mid-market housing value.
On balance, retirees and families are more likely to prefer Mount Barker, while Wistow remains a solid alternative depending on what matters most day to day.