Overall score
Albion Park Rail
59.8/100
Shellharbour City Centre
46.4/100
Albion Park Rail vs Shellharbour City Centre, NSW suburb comparison
Albion Park Rail for retirees and investment; Shellharbour City Centre for families and schools.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Visual comparison
Albion Park RailShellharbour City Centre
Crime rate
Albion Park Rail
35.8 / 1k
Shellharbour City Centre
74.2 / 1k
Nearby amenities
Albion Park Rail
131
Shellharbour City Centre
81
Population
Albion Park Rail
6,920
Shellharbour City Centre
457
Metric leadAlbion Park Rail 8Shellharbour City Centre 3across 11 compared metrics
Livability profile
Desirability pillars scored 0–100 vs comparable suburbs
Quick verdicts
Clearer edge on lifestyle fit (score gap ≥ 3)
- Best for retireesAlbion Park Rail
- Best for familiesShellharbour City Centre
- Best for investmentAlbion Park Rail
- Best for best valueAlbion Park Rail
- Best for best schoolsShellharbour City Centre
Audience fit
Who each suburb suits — composite scores out of 100
All metrics
Side-by-side scores for every compared metric.
Full comparison table
Exact figures for every metric — winner highlighted in bold.
| Category | Albion Park Rail | Shellharbour City Centre |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 59.8/100 | 46.4/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 72.9/100 | 49.2/100 |
| Crime rate | 35.8 / 1k | 74.2 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | 1 | 10 |
| Parks & reserves | 15 | 1 |
| Public transport stops | 156 | 22 |
| Walkability | 86.0/100 | 82.0/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 131 | 81 |
| Planning activity | 29 | 2 |
| Population | 6,920 | 457 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 2/10 | 3/10 |
Comparison summary
Albion Park Rail is a well-serviced metro mid-sized suburb with plenty happening nearby, while Shellharbour City Centre is a well-serviced metro smaller community with plenty happening nearby.
Albion Park Rail tends to lead on housing affordability and a quieter safety profile, while Shellharbour City Centre stands out for a calmer planning outlook and stronger socioeconomic advantage.
On balance, retirees and families are more likely to prefer Albion Park Rail, while Shellharbour City Centre remains a solid alternative depending on what matters most day to day.