Overall score
Ngunnawal
64.3/100
Palmerston
46.0/100
Ngunnawal vs Palmerston, ACT suburb comparison
Ngunnawal for retirees and families.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Visual comparison
NgunnawalPalmerston
Crime rate
Ngunnawal
12.3 / 1k
Palmerston
18.9 / 1k
Nearby amenities
Ngunnawal
111
Palmerston
53
Population
Ngunnawal
10,957
Palmerston
5,579
Metric leadNgunnawal 6Palmerston 12 tiedacross 9 compared metrics
Livability profile
Desirability pillars scored 0–100 vs comparable suburbs
Quick verdicts
Clearer edge on lifestyle fit (score gap ≥ 3)
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 | Ngunnawal | Palmerston |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 64.3/100 | 46.0/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 76.0/100 | 76.0/100 |
| Crime rate | 12.3 / 1k | 18.9 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | 6 | 3 |
| Parks & reserves | 4 | — |
| Walkability | 61.0/100 | 57.0/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 111 | 53 |
| Planning activity | 5 | 1 |
| Population | 10,957 | 5,579 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 9/10 | 9/10 |
Comparison summary
Put side by side, Ngunnawal is a lively metro established suburb with dining and everyday convenience close by, and Palmerston is a lively metro mid-sized suburb with dining and everyday convenience close by. Ngunnawal sits in a middle-ring position, whereas Palmerston is closer to the city centre.
Ngunnawal pulls ahead on a quieter safety profile and schools and education options, whereas Palmerston is the better pick for a calmer planning outlook.
On balance, families and investors are more likely to prefer Ngunnawal, while Palmerston remains a solid alternative depending on what matters most day to day.