Overall score
Petersham
63.3/100
Tempe
50.3/100
Petersham for families and schools; Tempe for retirees and investment.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Overall score
Petersham
63.3/100
Tempe
50.3/100
Crime rate
Petersham
54.8 / 1k
Tempe
85.2 / 1k
Nearby amenities
Petersham
242
Tempe
275
Population
Petersham
8,200
Tempe
3,550
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 | Petersham | Tempe |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 63.3/100 | 50.3/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 9.8/100 | 29.8/100 |
| Crime rate | 54.8 / 1k | 85.2 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | 30 | 7 |
| Parks & reserves | 4 | 4 |
| Public transport stops | 61 | 26 |
| Walkability | 100.0/100 | 42.0/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 242 | 275 |
| Planning activity | 47 | 20 |
| Population | 8,200 | 3,550 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 10/10 | 10/10 |
Put side by side, Petersham is a well-serviced metro established suburb with plenty happening nearby, and Tempe is an energetic metro mid-sized suburb where cafés and local life overlap.
Petersham pulls ahead on a quieter safety profile and schools and education options, whereas Tempe is the better pick for housing affordability and nearby cafés and amenities.
Choose Petersham if you are weighing families and households prioritising schools; lean toward Tempe for investors.