Overall score
Avoca Beach
55.6/100
Terrigal
52.5/100
Avoca Beach vs Terrigal, NSW suburb comparison
Avoca Beach for retirees and families.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Visual comparison
Avoca BeachTerrigal
Crime rate
Avoca Beach
27.7 / 1k
Terrigal
35.4 / 1k
Nearby amenities
Avoca Beach
130
Terrigal
203
Population
Avoca Beach
4,708
Terrigal
12,730
Metric leadAvoca Beach 4Terrigal 61 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 retireesAvoca Beach
- Best for familiesAvoca Beach
- Best for beach lifestyleAvoca Beach
- Best for investmentAvoca Beach
- Best for best schoolsAvoca Beach
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 | Avoca Beach | Terrigal |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 55.6/100 | 52.5/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 31.1/100 | 37.7/100 |
| Crime rate | 27.7 / 1k | 35.4 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | 2 | 4 |
| Parks & reserves | 6 | 8 |
| Public transport stops | 97 | 156 |
| Walkability | 50.0/100 | 34.0/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 130 | 203 |
| Planning activity | 41 | 46 |
| Population | 4,708 | 12,730 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 10/10 | 10/10 |
Comparison summary
Put side by side, Avoca Beach is a beachside mid-sized suburb where the coast sets the tone, and Terrigal is a coastal established suburb with an easy, sea-led rhythm.
On the data, Avoca Beach is stronger for a quieter safety profile and walkability; Terrigal answers with housing affordability and schools and education options.
On balance, retirees and people chasing a beach lifestyle are more likely to prefer Avoca Beach, while Terrigal remains a solid alternative depending on what matters most day to day.