Overall score
Ballina
48.0/100
Skennars Head
49.8/100
Ballina vs Skennars Head, NSW Suburb Comparison
Ballina for retirees and investment; Skennars Head for families and beach lifestyle.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Visual comparison
BallinaSkennars Head
Crime rate
Ballina
89.8 / 1k
Skennars Head
89.5 / 1k
Nearby amenities
Ballina
62
Skennars Head
120
Population
Ballina
9,735
Skennars Head
1,303
Metric leadBallina 5Skennars Head 61 tiedacross 12 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 familiesSkennars Head
- Best for beach lifestyleSkennars Head
- Best for investmentBallina
- Best for best valueSkennars Head
- Best for best schoolsSkennars Head
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 | Skennars Head |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 48.0/100 | 49.8/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 77.4/100 | 60.9/100 |
| Crime rate | 89.8 / 1k | 89.5 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | 1 | 3 |
| Weather (desirability) | 47.5/100 | 47.5/100 |
| Parks & reserves | 14 | — |
| Public transport stops | 318 | 37 |
| Walkability | 63.0/100 | 30.0/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 62 | 120 |
| Planning activity | 43 | 12 |
| Green cover | 5.4% | 4.0% |
| Population | 9,735 | 1,303 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 3/10 | 8/10 |
Comparison summary
Ballina is a regional hub with its own identity and everyday convenience, while Skennars Head is a coastal smaller community shaped by beach life and outdoor living. Skennars Head leans into coastal living, while Ballina feels more inland and suburban in character.
Ballina pulls ahead on public transport access, walkability, and overall desirability, whereas Skennars Head is the better pick for housing affordability, a quieter safety profile, and schools and education options.
On balance, retirees, families, people chasing a beach lifestyle, investors, and households prioritising schools are more likely to prefer Skennars Head, while Ballina remains a solid alternative depending on what matters most day to day.
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.