Overall score
Newlands Arm
35.9/100
Paynesville
43.9/100
Newlands Arm for families and investment; Paynesville for schools.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Overall score
Newlands Arm
35.9/100
Paynesville
43.9/100
Crime rate
Newlands Arm
20.0 / 1k
Paynesville
49.8 / 1k
Nearby amenities
Newlands Arm
3
Paynesville
92
Population
Newlands Arm
866
Paynesville
3,636
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 | Newlands Arm | Paynesville |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 35.9/100 | 43.9/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 72.2/100 | 54.2/100 |
| Crime rate | 20.0 / 1k | 49.8 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | — | 1 |
| Parks & reserves | 1 | 2 |
| Public transport stops | — | 3 |
| Walkability | 0.0/100 | 51.5/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 3 | 92 |
| Planning activity | 22 | 32 |
| Population | 866 | 3,636 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 3/10 | 3/10 |
Put side by side, Newlands Arm is a quieter smaller community with space and a country-town pace, and Paynesville is a regional mid-sized suburb that feels self-contained without feeling remote.
Newlands Arm tends to lead on housing affordability and a quieter safety profile, while Paynesville stands out for parks and reserves and walkability.
Investors and value-focused buyers may find Newlands Arm the better fit, while retirees and families are more likely to prefer Paynesville.