Balnarring Beach vs Merricks North, VIC suburb comparison
Which suburb suits you better?
Side-by-side comparison of 16 categories from official government and open data.
| Category | Balnarring Beach | Merricks North |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 38.7/100 | 33.9/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 9.8/100 | 2.6/100 |
| Crime rate | 48.8 / 1k | 73.3 / 1k |
| Parks & reserves | 1 | 1 |
| Walkability | 0.0/100 | 0.0/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 9 | 5 |
| Planning activity | 26 | 34 |
| Population | 471 | 423 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 9/10 | 10/10 |
Quick verdicts
- Best for retireesBalnarring Beach
- Best for familiesBalnarring Beach
- Best for beach lifestyleBalnarring Beach
- Best for best valueBalnarring Beach
Comparison summary
Balnarring Beach is a beachside smaller community where the coast sets the tone, while Merricks North is a hillside smaller community with greener streets and a quieter pace. Balnarring Beach leans into coastal living, while Merricks North feels more inland and suburban in character.
Balnarring Beach pulls ahead on housing affordability and a quieter safety profile, whereas Merricks North is the better pick for stronger socioeconomic advantage.
On balance, retirees and families are more likely to prefer Balnarring Beach, while Merricks North remains a solid alternative depending on what matters most day to day.