Overall score
South Maitland
34.0/100
Telarah
44.1/100
South Maitland for value and schools; Telarah for retirees and investment.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Overall score
South Maitland
34.0/100
Telarah
44.1/100
Crime rate
South Maitland
95.1 / 1k
Telarah
95.5 / 1k
Nearby amenities
South Maitland
27
Telarah
44
Population
South Maitland
432
Telarah
2,318
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 | South Maitland | Telarah |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 34.0/100 | 44.1/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 76.1/100 | 57.4/100 |
| Crime rate | 95.1 / 1k | 95.5 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | 3 | 6 |
| Parks & reserves | — | 2 |
| Public transport stops | 14 | 33 |
| Walkability | 21.0/100 | 72.0/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 27 | 44 |
| Planning activity | 6 | 8 |
| Population | 432 | 2,318 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 1/10 | 1/10 |
South Maitland reads as a settled metro smaller community that keeps everyday living grounded and accessible; Telarah is a practical metro smaller community with approachable housing and suburban calm. South Maitland sits further out with more breathing room, whereas Telarah is in a middle-ring position.
South Maitland pulls ahead on housing affordability and a calmer planning outlook, whereas Telarah is the better pick for a quieter safety profile and public transport access.
Value-focused buyers may find South Maitland the better fit, while retirees and investors are more likely to prefer Telarah.