Overall score
Parafield Gardens
37.6/100
Pakenham
46.4/100
Parafield Gardens vs Pakenham Suburb Comparison (SA vs VIC)
Pakenham for retirees and families.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Visual comparison
Parafield GardensPakenham
Crime rate
Parafield Gardens
46.5 / 1k
Pakenham
84.3 / 1k
Nearby amenities
Parafield Gardens
171
Pakenham
488
Population
Parafield Gardens
18,467
Pakenham
54,118
Metric leadParafield Gardens 3Pakenham 9across 12 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 | Parafield Gardens | Pakenham |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 37.6/100 | 46.4/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 50.9/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Crime rate | 46.5 / 1k | 84.3 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | 9 | 4 |
| Weather (desirability) | 37.3/100 | 82.3/100 |
| Parks & reserves | — | 24 |
| Public transport stops | 73 | 258 |
| Walkability | 76.0/100 | 100.0/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 171 | 488 |
| Planning activity | 169 | 494 |
| Green cover | 3.1% | 4.4% |
| Population | 18,467 | 54,118 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 1/10 | 4/10 |
Comparison summary
Parafield Gardens (SA) is a well-serviced metro established suburb with plenty happening nearby, while Pakenham (VIC) is a well-serviced metro larger suburb with plenty happening nearby.
Parafield Gardens pulls ahead on a quieter safety profile, schools and education options, and a calmer planning outlook, whereas Pakenham is the better pick for housing affordability, public transport access, and walkability. Parafield Gardens generally means more sought-after housing, while Pakenham leans toward housing toward the upper end of the market.
On balance, retirees, families, investors, value-focused buyers, and households prioritising schools are more likely to prefer Pakenham, while Parafield Gardens 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.