Overall score
Ballina
48.0/100
East Ballina
49.2/100
Ballina vs East Ballina, NSW Suburb Comparison
Ballina for retirees and investment; East Ballina for families and beach lifestyle.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Visual comparison
BallinaEast Ballina
Crime rate
Ballina
89.8 / 1k
East Ballina
89.9 / 1k
Nearby amenities
Ballina
62
East Ballina
479
Population
Ballina
9,735
East Ballina
5,882
Metric leadBallina 5East Ballina 71 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 retireesBallina
- Best for familiesEast Ballina
- Best for beach lifestyleEast Ballina
- Best for investmentBallina
- Best for best valueEast Ballina
- Best for best schoolsBallina
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 | Ballina | East Ballina |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 48.0/100 | 49.2/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 77.4/100 | 60.4/100 |
| Crime rate | 89.8 / 1k | 89.9 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | 1 | 2 |
| Weather (desirability) | 47.5/100 | 47.5/100 |
| Parks & reserves | 14 | 17 |
| Public transport stops | 318 | 209 |
| Walkability | 63.0/100 | 36.0/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 62 | 479 |
| Planning activity | 43 | 27 |
| Green cover | 5.4% | 14.1% |
| Population | 9,735 | 5,882 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 3/10 | 7/10 |
Comparison summary
Put side by side, Ballina is a regional hub with its own identity and everyday convenience, and East Ballina is a coastal mid-sized suburb with an easy, sea-led rhythm. Where East Ballina is shaped by the coast, Ballina offers a more landlocked suburban rhythm.
Ballina pulls ahead on a quieter safety profile, public transport access, and walkability, whereas East Ballina is the better pick for housing affordability, schools and education options, and parks and reserves.
Ballina suits families more clearly, whereas East Ballina is the stronger match for retirees, people chasing a beach lifestyle, and households prioritising schools.
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.