Overall score
Balgowlah
69.1/100
North Manly
53.5/100
Balgowlah vs North Manly, NSW Suburb Comparison
Balgowlah for retirees and investment; North Manly for value.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Visual comparison
BalgowlahNorth Manly
Crime rate
Balgowlah
24.1 / 1k
North Manly
46.8 / 1k
Nearby amenities
Balgowlah
226
North Manly
50
Population
Balgowlah
8,068
North Manly
3,396
Metric leadBalgowlah 8North Manly 32 tiedacross 13 compared metrics
Livability profile
Desirability pillars scored 0–100 vs comparable suburbs
Quick verdicts
Clearer edge on lifestyle fit (score gap ≥ 3)
- Best for retireesBalgowlah
- Best for investmentBalgowlah
- Best for best valueNorth Manly
- Best for best schoolsBalgowlah
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 | North Manly |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 69.1/100 | 53.5/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 59.2/100 | 44.9/100 |
| Crime rate | 24.1 / 1k | 46.8 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | 10 | 14 |
| Weather (desirability) | 82.3/100 | 82.3/100 |
| Parks & reserves | 3 | 4 |
| Public transport stops | 103 | 44 |
| Walkability | 100.0/100 | 36.0/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 226 | 50 |
| Planning activity | 23 | 19 |
| Green cover | 7.6% | 2.9% |
| Population | 8,068 | 3,396 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 10/10 | 10/10 |
Comparison summary
Put side by side, Balgowlah is an energetic metro established suburb where cafés and local life overlap, and North Manly is a lively metro mid-sized suburb with dining and everyday convenience close by. Balgowlah sits closer to the city centre, whereas North Manly is in a middle-ring position.
Balgowlah tends to lead on a quieter safety profile, public transport access, and walkability, while North Manly stands out for housing affordability, schools and education options, and parks and reserves.
Choose Balgowlah if you are weighing families and households prioritising schools; lean toward North Manly for retirees, investors, and value-focused buyers.
Generated from the official metrics on this page. It can omit nuance or contain errors — check the tables and source notes before relying on it.