Overall score
Port Melbourne
67.9/100
St Kilda
71.8/100
Port Melbourne for retirees and value; St Kilda for families and beach lifestyle.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Overall score
Port Melbourne
67.9/100
St Kilda
71.8/100
Crime rate
Port Melbourne
158.7 / 1k
St Kilda
175.7 / 1k
Nearby amenities
Port Melbourne
496
St Kilda
526
Population
Port Melbourne
17,633
St Kilda
19,490
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 | Port Melbourne | St Kilda |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 67.9/100 | 71.8/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 36.8/100 | 22.9/100 |
| Crime rate | 158.7 / 1k | 175.7 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | 3 | 13 |
| Parks & reserves | 29 | 14 |
| Public transport stops | 98 | 96 |
| Walkability | 100.0/100 | 100.0/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 496 | 526 |
| Planning activity | 306 | 217 |
| Population | 17,633 | 19,490 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 10/10 | 10/10 |
Port Melbourne is a coastal established suburb with an easy, sea-led rhythm, while St Kilda is a coastal established suburb shaped by beach life and outdoor living.
On the data, Port Melbourne is stronger for housing affordability and a quieter safety profile; St Kilda answers with schools and education options and nearby cafés and amenities.
Retirees and value-focused buyers may find Port Melbourne the better fit, while families and people chasing a beach lifestyle are more likely to prefer St Kilda.