Overall score
Northcote
65.8/100
Thornbury
61.2/100
Northcote vs Thornbury, VIC Suburb Comparison
Northcote for schools; Thornbury for investment.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Visual comparison
NorthcoteThornbury
Crime rate
Northcote
67.7 / 1k
Thornbury
65.6 / 1k
Nearby amenities
Northcote
961
Thornbury
481
Population
Northcote
25,276
Thornbury
19,005
Metric leadNorthcote 5Thornbury 53 tiedacross 13 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 | Northcote | Thornbury |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 65.8/100 | 61.2/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 52.4/100 | 54.7/100 |
| Crime rate | 67.7 / 1k | 65.6 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | 17 | 16 |
| Weather (desirability) | 82.3/100 | 82.3/100 |
| Parks & reserves | 20 | 25 |
| Public transport stops | 160 | 90 |
| Walkability | 100.0/100 | 100.0/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 961 | 481 |
| Planning activity | 377 | 192 |
| Green cover | 9.2% | 10.9% |
| Population | 25,276 | 19,005 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 10/10 | 10/10 |
Comparison summary
Northcote is an energetic metro larger suburb where cafés and local life overlap, while Thornbury is an energetic metro established suburb where cafés and local life overlap.
On the data, Northcote is stronger for housing affordability, a quieter safety profile, and schools and education options; Thornbury answers with parks and reserves, plus a calmer planning outlook.
Northcote suits families and households prioritising schools more clearly, whereas Thornbury is the stronger match for investors.
Generated from the official metrics on this page. It can omit nuance or contain errors — check the tables and source notes before relying on it.