Overall score
Padstow Heights
55.3/100
Riverwood
48.6/100
Padstow Heights vs Riverwood, NSW Suburb Comparison
Padstow Heights for retirees and families.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Visual comparison
Padstow HeightsRiverwood
Crime rate
Padstow Heights
33.8 / 1k
Riverwood
71.7 / 1k
Nearby amenities
Padstow Heights
38
Riverwood
239
Population
Padstow Heights
3,594
Riverwood
12,793
Metric leadPadstow Heights 4Riverwood 72 tiedacross 13 compared metrics
Livability profile
Desirability pillars scored 0–100 vs comparable suburbs
Quick verdicts
Clearer edge on lifestyle fit (score gap ≥ 3)
- Best for retireesPadstow Heights
- Best for familiesPadstow Heights
- Best for best valuePadstow Heights
- Best for best schoolsPadstow Heights
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 | Padstow Heights | Riverwood |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 55.3/100 | 48.6/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 45.0/100 | 48.5/100 |
| Crime rate | 33.8 / 1k | 71.7 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | 7 | 8 |
| Weather (desirability) | 82.3/100 | 82.3/100 |
| Parks & reserves | 5 | 14 |
| Public transport stops | 34 | 158 |
| Walkability | 32.0/100 | 100.0/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 38 | 239 |
| Planning activity | 10 | 10 |
| Green cover | 36.3% | 16.9% |
| Population | 3,594 | 12,793 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 9/10 | 3/10 |
Comparison summary
Padstow Heights is a leafier hillside mid-sized suburb with elevated outlooks, while Riverwood is an energetic metro established suburb where cafés and local life overlap. Padstow Heights sits among greener hillside streets, while Riverwood keeps a flatter suburban layout.
Padstow Heights pulls ahead on housing affordability, a quieter safety profile, and a calmer planning outlook, whereas Riverwood is the better pick for schools and education options, parks and reserves, and public transport access.
On balance, retirees, families, and households prioritising schools are more likely to prefer Padstow Heights, while Riverwood remains a solid alternative depending on what matters most day to day.
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.