Overall score
Balnarring Beach
39.5/100
Hmas Cerberus
32.8/100
Balnarring Beach for beach lifestyle and investment; Hmas Cerberus for retirees.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Overall score
Balnarring Beach
39.5/100
Hmas Cerberus
32.8/100
Crime rate
Balnarring Beach
49.8 / 1k
Hmas Cerberus
12.6 / 1k
Nearby amenities
Balnarring Beach
9
Hmas Cerberus
13
Population
Balnarring Beach
471
Hmas Cerberus
1,124
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 | Balnarring Beach | Hmas Cerberus |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 39.5/100 | 32.8/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 9.8/100 | 10.6/100 |
| Crime rate | 49.8 / 1k | 12.6 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | 1 | — |
| Parks & reserves | 1 | 1 |
| Public transport stops | — | 1 |
| Walkability | 0.0/100 | 1.5/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 9 | 13 |
| Planning activity | 26 | — |
| Population | 471 | 1,124 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 9/10 | 10/10 |
Put side by side, Balnarring Beach is a beachside smaller community where the coast sets the tone, and Hmas Cerberus is a coastal smaller community shaped by beach life and outdoor living.
Balnarring Beach tends to lead on overall desirability, while Hmas Cerberus stands out for housing affordability and a quieter safety profile.
Balnarring Beach suits people chasing a beach lifestyle and investors more clearly, whereas Hmas Cerberus is the stronger match for retirees and families.