Overall score
Newmerella
25.0/100
Orbost
29.7/100
Newmerella for retirees; Orbost for investment and schools.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Overall score
Newmerella
25.0/100
Orbost
29.7/100
Crime rate
Newmerella
54.2 / 1k
Orbost
182.0 / 1k
Nearby amenities
Newmerella
0
Orbost
1
Population
Newmerella
415
Orbost
2,264
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 | Newmerella | Orbost |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 25.0/100 | 29.7/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 46.5/100 | 46.1/100 |
| Crime rate | 54.2 / 1k | 182.0 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | 1 | 2 |
| Parks & reserves | 1 | 2 |
| Public transport stops | 2 | 1 |
| Walkability | 3.0/100 | 1.5/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 0 | 1 |
| Planning activity | 10 | 14 |
| Population | 415 | 2,264 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 3/10 | 1/10 |
Newmerella reads as a slower-paced smaller community with open surrounds; Orbost is a slower-paced smaller community with open surrounds.
Newmerella pulls ahead on housing affordability and a quieter safety profile, whereas Orbost is the better pick for schools and education options and parks and reserves.
Choose Newmerella if you are weighing retirees; lean toward Orbost for families and investors.