Overall score
Balgowlah Heights
60.9/100
Manly Vale
59.1/100
Balgowlah Heights vs Manly Vale, NSW suburb comparison
Balgowlah Heights for families and investment.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Visual comparison
Balgowlah HeightsManly Vale
Crime rate
Balgowlah Heights
24.0 / 1k
Manly Vale
24.1 / 1k
Nearby amenities
Balgowlah Heights
98
Manly Vale
187
Population
Balgowlah Heights
3,546
Manly Vale
6,389
Metric leadBalgowlah Heights 3Manly Vale 71 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 familiesBalgowlah Heights
- Best for investmentBalgowlah Heights
- Best for best valueBalgowlah Heights
- Best for best schoolsBalgowlah Heights
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 | Balgowlah Heights | Manly Vale |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 60.9/100 | 59.1/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 36.3/100 | 22.3/100 |
| Crime rate | 24.0 / 1k | 24.1 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | 5 | 13 |
| Parks & reserves | 4 | 8 |
| Public transport stops | 53 | 68 |
| Walkability | 76.0/100 | 86.0/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 98 | 187 |
| Planning activity | 25 | 10 |
| Population | 3,546 | 6,389 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 10/10 | 10/10 |
Comparison summary
Balgowlah Heights is a hillside mid-sized suburb with greener streets and a quieter pace, while Manly Vale is an energetic metro mid-sized suburb where cafés and local life overlap. Balgowlah Heights sits among greener hillside streets, while Manly Vale keeps a flatter suburban layout.
On the data, Balgowlah Heights is stronger for housing affordability and a quieter safety profile; Manly Vale answers with parks and reserves and public transport access.
Balgowlah Heights suits investors and value-focused buyers more clearly, whereas Manly Vale is the stronger match for households prioritising schools.