Side by sideSuburb comparison

Carrum Downs vs Pines Forest.

Suburb-to-suburb comparison across price, growth, lifestyle, schools and risk. Carrum Downs edges out on more headline metrics in this comparison.

Carrum Downs scores higher on walkability (42/100 vs 18/100 ), useful if you're optimising for a car-light household. On school quality, the average ICSEA across schools serving Carrum Downs (1002) sits above Pines Forest (989).

The takeWhich suburb suits which buyer

For buyers

We don't yet have verified suburb-level medians for one or both of these suburbs. Check the individual profiles for the data we do publish, and the methodology page for how we source it.

For investors

Rental or growth data is incomplete for one or both suburbs. Look at the full investor view on each suburb profile for a complete picture.

For families

Carrum Downs edges out on average school ICSEA (1002 vs 989).

Common questionsCarrum Downs vs Pines Forest

Common questions

Does Carrum Downs or Pines Forest have better schools?

On average school ICSEA (the ACARA index that benchmarks educational advantage), Carrum Downs scores 1002 vs 989 in Pines Forest. ICSEA is a school-community indicator, not a quality rating, so always check NAPLAN results and catchment boundaries for the specific address you're considering.

Which is more walkable, Carrum Downs or Pines Forest?

Carrum Downs scores 42/100 on walkability vs 18/100. Above 70 is considered very walkable (most errands on foot), 50-69 is walkable for some errands, below 50 typically requires a car for daily life.

The numbers behind the take

Carrum Downs
Metric
Pines Forest

Price & Market

$775,000
Median house
$600,000
Median unit
+0.0%
Annual growth (house)
+0.0%
Days on market

Rental

$560/wk
Rent (house / wk)
$315/wk
$470/wk
Rent (unit / wk)
$268/wk
70.0%
Owner occupied
27.0%
Renter occupied

Lifestyle & Demographics

42
Walk score
18
30
Transit score
10
100
Bike score
100
21,976
Population
5,711
36
Median age
37

Risk & Hazard

Flood class
Bushfire risk

Schools

20
Schools nearby
20
1002
Avg ICSEA
989

Climate

639 mm
Annual rainfall
639 mm
25.9°C
Mean max (Jan)
25.9°C

Green dot = better on that metric (lower price, higher growth, higher walkability, lower risk).