Overall score
Arcadia Vale
36.4/100
Brightwaters
28.0/100
Arcadia Vale vs Brightwaters, NSW suburb comparison
Arcadia Vale for families and investment.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Visual comparison
Arcadia ValeBrightwaters
Crime rate
Arcadia Vale
81.1 / 1k
Brightwaters
76.9 / 1k
Nearby amenities
Arcadia Vale
26
Brightwaters
14
Population
Arcadia Vale
1,431
Brightwaters
875
Metric leadArcadia Vale 7Brightwaters 31 tiedacross 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 familiesArcadia Vale
- Best for investmentArcadia Vale
- Best for best valueArcadia Vale
- Best for best schoolsArcadia Vale
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 | Arcadia Vale | Brightwaters |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 36.4/100 | 28.0/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 50.4/100 | 42.2/100 |
| Crime rate | 81.1 / 1k | 76.9 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | 2 | 1 |
| Parks & reserves | 3 | 1 |
| Public transport stops | 31 | 27 |
| Walkability | 30.0/100 | 30.0/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 26 | 14 |
| Planning activity | 9 | 6 |
| Population | 1,431 | 875 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 5/10 | 6/10 |
Comparison summary
Put side by side, Arcadia Vale is a practical metro smaller community with solid links to the wider city, and Brightwaters is a well-connected metro smaller community with a familiar suburban feel.
On the data, Arcadia Vale is stronger for housing affordability and a quieter safety profile; Brightwaters answers with a calmer planning outlook and stronger socioeconomic advantage.
Investors and value-focused buyers may find Arcadia Vale the better fit, while households prioritising schools are more likely to prefer Brightwaters.