Overall score
North Lambton
42.2/100
Shortland
50.5/100
North Lambton for retirees and families; Shortland for investment and value.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Overall score
North Lambton
42.2/100
Shortland
50.5/100
Crime rate
North Lambton
108.5 / 1k
Shortland
68.3 / 1k
Nearby amenities
North Lambton
38
Shortland
161
Population
North Lambton
3,454
Shortland
4,537
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 | North Lambton | Shortland |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 42.2/100 | 50.5/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 48.0/100 | 75.3/100 |
| Crime rate | 108.5 / 1k | 68.3 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | 15 | 4 |
| Parks & reserves | 3 | 4 |
| Public transport stops | 42 | 84 |
| Walkability | 30.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 38 | 161 |
| Planning activity | 16 | 12 |
| Population | 3,454 | 4,537 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 6/10 | 3/10 |
Put side by side, North Lambton is a settled metro mid-sized suburb that balances access with everyday calm, and Shortland is an energetic metro mid-sized suburb where cafés and local life overlap. North Lambton sits further out with more breathing room, whereas Shortland is in a middle-ring position.
North Lambton tends to lead on stronger socioeconomic advantage, while Shortland stands out for housing affordability and a quieter safety profile. On housing, North Lambton sits in a expensive band, compared with a affordable feel in Shortland.
North Lambton suits retirees more clearly, whereas Shortland is the stronger match for families and investors.