Overall score
Ballina
48.0/100
West Ballina
51.2/100
Ballina for retirees; West Ballina for families and value.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Overall score
Ballina
48.0/100
West Ballina
51.2/100
Crime rate
Ballina
89.8 / 1k
West Ballina
89.8 / 1k
Nearby amenities
Ballina
62
West Ballina
135
Population
Ballina
9,735
West Ballina
3,230
Desirability pillars scored 0–100 vs comparable suburbs
Clearer edge on lifestyle fit (score gap ≥ 3)
Who each suburb suits — composite scores out of 100
Side-by-side scores for every compared metric.
Exact figures for every metric — winner highlighted in bold.
| Category | Ballina | West Ballina |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 48.0/100 | 51.2/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 77.4/100 | 81.1/100 |
| Crime rate | 89.8 / 1k | 89.8 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | 1 | 1 |
| Weather (desirability) | 47.5/100 | 47.5/100 |
| Parks & reserves | 14 | 8 |
| Public transport stops | 318 | 162 |
| Walkability | 63.0/100 | 63.0/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 62 | 135 |
| Planning activity | 43 | 20 |
| Green cover | 5.4% | 2.2% |
| Population | 9,735 | 3,230 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 3/10 | 2/10 |
Ballina reads as a regional hub with its own identity and everyday convenience; West Ballina is a regional hub with its own identity and everyday convenience.
On the data, Ballina is stronger for parks and reserves, public transport access, and a larger local community; West Ballina answers with housing affordability, nearby cafés and amenities, and overall desirability.
Ballina suits retirees more clearly, whereas West Ballina is the stronger match for investors, value-focused buyers, 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.