Overall score
Wandana Heights
52.5/100
Waurn Ponds
51.2/100
Wandana Heights for retirees and families; Waurn Ponds for investment and value.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Overall score
Wandana Heights
52.5/100
Waurn Ponds
51.2/100
Crime rate
Wandana Heights
12.0 / 1k
Waurn Ponds
50.6 / 1k
Nearby amenities
Wandana Heights
116
Waurn Ponds
133
Population
Wandana Heights
2,195
Waurn Ponds
4,956
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 | Wandana Heights | Waurn Ponds |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 52.5/100 | 51.2/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 50.4/100 | 66.1/100 |
| Crime rate | 12.0 / 1k | 50.6 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | 5 | — |
| Parks & reserves | 2 | 5 |
| Public transport stops | 2 | 18 |
| Walkability | 3.0/100 | 27.0/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 116 | 133 |
| Planning activity | 14 | 30 |
| Population | 2,195 | 4,956 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 10/10 | 9/10 |
Put side by side, Wandana Heights is a leafier hillside smaller community with elevated outlooks, and Waurn Ponds is a lively metro mid-sized suburb with dining and everyday convenience close by. Wandana Heights sits among greener hillside streets, while Waurn Ponds keeps a flatter suburban layout.
Wandana Heights pulls ahead on a quieter safety profile and a calmer planning outlook, whereas Waurn Ponds is the better pick for housing affordability and parks and reserves.
Retirees and families may find Wandana Heights the better fit, while investors and value-focused buyers are more likely to prefer Waurn Ponds.