Orange vs Port Macquarie
The verdict
Orange is more affordable, with a median house price of $720K versus $925K in Port Macquarie. Port Macquarie rates higher for liveability (100 vs 91). Port Macquarie is closer to the coast (3.4 km vs 194.4 km). On the separate residential safety score, Port Macquarie rates higher (44 vs 32/100 in Orange).
Scores
| Orange | Port Macquarie | |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 71 | 76 |
| Transport | 70 | 74 |
| Education | 49 | 51 |
| Liveability | 91 | 100 |
Overall is based on transport, liveability & education — the metrics available at consistent quality nationwide. Residential safety is compared separately below.
Demographics
| Orange | Port Macquarie | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 41,232 | 47,693 |
| Median age | 36 | 48 |
| Median household income (wk) | $1,641 | $1,282 |
| Bachelor degree or higher | 33.9% | 31.3% |
| Born in Australia | 83.5% | 80.9% |
| Avg household size | 2.5 | 2.2 |
Growth: Orange Moderate Growth · Port Macquarie Stable
Property
| Orange | Port Macquarie | |
|---|---|---|
| Median house price | $720K | $925K |
| Median unit price | $483K | $623K |
| House price YoY | 10.8% | 7.4% |
| Median rent — house (wk) | $600 | $660 |
| Rental yield (house) | 4.0% | 3.6% |
| Days on market (house) | 36 | 42 |
Median price history
Safety
| Orange | Port Macquarie | |
|---|---|---|
| Residential safety score | 32 | 44 |
| Break & enter dwelling /100k | 531 | 298 |
| Motor vehicle theft /100k | 221 | 180 |
| Domestic assault /100k | 696 | 625 |
| Total incidents /100k (all) | 9,396 | 7,668 |
Total incidents over time
Schools
| Orange | Port Macquarie | |
|---|---|---|
| Total schools | 17 | 20 |
| Government | 9 | 7 |
| Independent | 5 | 8 |
| Average ICSEA | 967 | 1,002 |
See the full school list on each profile: Orange · Port Macquarie
Transport
| Orange | Port Macquarie | |
|---|---|---|
| Transport score | 70 | 74 |
| Train stations | 2 | 1 |
| Bus stops | 0 | 0 |
| Light rail stops | 0 | 0 |
| Ferry wharves | 0 | 0 |
| CBD commute (min) | Data not available | Data not available |
| Nearest train station (km) | 4.7 km | 2.7 km |
Liveability
| Orange | Port Macquarie | |
|---|---|---|
| Summer max temp | 26.0°C | 27.0°C |
| Winter max temp | 9.5°C | 19.0°C |
| Annual rainfall (mm) | 900 | 1,500 |
| Supermarkets | 11 | 10 |
| Cafes & restaurants | 38 | 91 |
| Parks | 102 | 51 |
| Playgrounds | 25 | 24 |
| Swimming pools | 7 | 29 |
| Medical GPs | 5 | 14 |
| Distance to coast (km) | 194.4 km | 3.4 km |
| Distance to CBD (km) | 209.4 km | 311.8 km |
| Nearest beach (km) | Data not available | 3.4 km |
| Nearest hospital (km) | 7.3 km | 1.4 km |
Population & growth
| Orange | Port Macquarie | |
|---|---|---|
| Population (2021) | 41,232 | 47,693 |
| Estimated 2025 | 43,028 | 48,371 |
| Projected 2041 | 48,564 | 50,813 |
| Annual growth rate | 1.07% | 0.35% |
Common questions
Which is safer, Orange or Port Macquarie?
Port Macquarie has the higher residential safety score (Orange 32/100 vs Port Macquarie 44/100).
Which is more affordable, Orange or Port Macquarie?
Orange is more affordable, with a median house price of $720K versus $925K.
Which has better schools, Orange or Port Macquarie?
Port Macquarie has a higher average school ICSEA (Orange 967 vs Port Macquarie 1002; national average 1000).
Which has better public transport, Orange or Port Macquarie?
Port Macquarie has the higher transport score (Orange 70/100 vs Port Macquarie 74/100).
Try another comparison
Compare two suburbs