Overall score
Ripponlea
54.2/100
St Kilda West
46.5/100
Ripponlea for retirees and families; St Kilda West for beach lifestyle.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Overall score
Ripponlea
54.2/100
St Kilda West
46.5/100
Crime rate
Ripponlea
56.4 / 1k
St Kilda West
87.0 / 1k
Nearby amenities
Ripponlea
70
St Kilda West
46
Population
Ripponlea
1,532
St Kilda West
2,951
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 | Ripponlea | St Kilda West |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 54.2/100 | 46.5/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 9.2/100 | 18.9/100 |
| Crime rate | 56.4 / 1k | 87.0 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | 15 | 8 |
| Parks & reserves | 1 | 5 |
| Public transport stops | 21 | 10 |
| Walkability | 92.0/100 | 23.0/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 70 | 46 |
| Planning activity | 28 | 40 |
| Population | 1,532 | 2,951 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 10/10 | 10/10 |
Ripponlea reads as a lively metro smaller community with dining and everyday convenience close by; St Kilda West is a coastal mid-sized suburb shaped by beach life and outdoor living. St Kilda West leans into coastal living, while Ripponlea feels more inland and suburban in character.
Ripponlea tends to lead on a quieter safety profile and schools and education options, while St Kilda West stands out for housing affordability and parks and reserves.
Ripponlea suits retirees and investors more clearly, whereas St Kilda West is the stronger match for people chasing a beach lifestyle.