Overall score
Port Melbourne
67.9/100
St Kilda West
46.5/100
Port Melbourne vs St Kilda West, VIC suburb comparison
Port Melbourne for beach lifestyle and investment; St Kilda West for retirees and families.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Visual comparison
Port MelbourneSt Kilda West
Crime rate
Port Melbourne
158.7 / 1k
St Kilda West
87.0 / 1k
Nearby amenities
Port Melbourne
496
St Kilda West
46
Population
Port Melbourne
17,633
St Kilda West
2,951
Metric leadPort Melbourne 7St Kilda West 31 tiedacross 11 compared metrics
Livability profile
Desirability pillars scored 0–100 vs comparable suburbs
Quick verdicts
Clearer edge on lifestyle fit (score gap ≥ 3)
- Best for retireesSt Kilda West
- Best for familiesSt Kilda West
- Best for beach lifestylePort Melbourne
- Best for investmentPort Melbourne
- Best for best valuePort Melbourne
- Best for best schoolsSt Kilda West
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 | St Kilda West |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 67.9/100 | 46.5/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 36.8/100 | 18.9/100 |
| Crime rate | 158.7 / 1k | 87.0 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | 3 | 8 |
| Parks & reserves | 29 | 5 |
| Public transport stops | 98 | 10 |
| Walkability | 100.0/100 | 23.0/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 496 | 46 |
| Planning activity | 306 | 40 |
| Population | 17,633 | 2,951 |
| 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 St Kilda West is a coastal mid-sized suburb shaped by beach life and outdoor living.
On the data, Port Melbourne is stronger for housing affordability and parks and reserves; St Kilda West answers with a quieter safety profile and schools and education options.
People chasing a beach lifestyle and investors may find Port Melbourne the better fit, while retirees and families are more likely to prefer St Kilda West.