Overall score
Port Melbourne
56.8/100
South Melbourne
56.5/100
Port Melbourne vs South Melbourne, VIC Suburb Comparison
Port Melbourne for beach lifestyle and investment; South Melbourne for schools.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Visual comparison
Port MelbourneSouth Melbourne
Crime rate
Port Melbourne
150.8 / 1k
South Melbourne
307.0 / 1k
Nearby amenities
Port Melbourne
512
South Melbourne
569
Population
Port Melbourne
17,633
South Melbourne
11,548
Metric leadPort Melbourne 7South Melbourne 33 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 beach lifestylePort Melbourne
- Best for investmentPort Melbourne
- Best for best valuePort Melbourne
- Best for best schoolsSouth Melbourne
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 | Port Melbourne | South Melbourne |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 56.8/100 | 56.5/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 62.1/100 | 47.8/100 |
| Crime rate | 150.8 / 1k | 307.0 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | 3 | 12 |
| Weather (desirability) | 82.3/100 | 82.3/100 |
| Parks & reserves | 29 | 10 |
| Public transport stops | 98 | 45 |
| Walkability | 100.0/100 | 100.0/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 512 | 569 |
| Planning activity | 306 | 247 |
| Green cover | 8.1% | 1.9% |
| Population | 17,633 | 11,548 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 10/10 | 10/10 |
Comparison summary
Put side by side, Port Melbourne is a coastal established suburb with an easy, sea-led rhythm, and South Melbourne is an energetic metro established suburb where cafés and local life overlap. Port Melbourne leans into coastal living, while South Melbourne feels more inland and suburban in character.
On the data, Port Melbourne is stronger for housing affordability, a quieter safety profile, and parks and reserves; South Melbourne answers with schools and education options, nearby cafés and amenities, and overall desirability.
Port Melbourne suits retirees, people chasing a beach lifestyle, and value-focused buyers more clearly, whereas South Melbourne is the stronger match for families and households prioritising schools.
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.