Overall score
Pillar Valley
30.5/100
Ulmarra
38.2/100
Ulmarra for retirees and families.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Overall score
Pillar Valley
30.5/100
Ulmarra
38.2/100
Crime rate
Pillar Valley
69.7 / 1k
Ulmarra
69.3 / 1k
Nearby amenities
Pillar Valley
0
Ulmarra
0
Population
Pillar Valley
352
Ulmarra
749
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 | Pillar Valley | Ulmarra |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 30.5/100 | 38.2/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 47.3/100 | 71.9/100 |
| Crime rate | 69.7 / 1k | 69.3 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | — | 1 |
| Parks & reserves | — | 2 |
| Public transport stops | 62 | 110 |
| Walkability | 30.0/100 | 30.0/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 0 | 0 |
| Planning activity | 3 | 7 |
| Population | 352 | 749 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 2/10 | 1/10 |
Pillar Valley reads as a more rural smaller community that rewards people who want room to breathe; Ulmarra is a quieter smaller community with space and a country-town pace.
Pillar Valley pulls ahead on a calmer planning outlook and stronger socioeconomic advantage, whereas Ulmarra is the better pick for housing affordability and a quieter safety profile.
On balance, retirees and families are more likely to prefer Ulmarra, while Pillar Valley remains a solid alternative depending on what matters most day to day.