Overall score
Bar Beach
40.3/100
Merewether
54.8/100
Bar Beach vs Merewether, NSW suburb comparison
Bar Beach for families and schools; Merewether for beach lifestyle and investment.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Visual comparison
Bar BeachMerewether
Crime rate
Bar Beach
217.7 / 1k
Merewether
80.4 / 1k
Nearby amenities
Bar Beach
77
Merewether
218
Population
Bar Beach
1,292
Merewether
11,788
Metric leadBar Beach 2Merewether 9across 11 compared metrics
Livability profile
Desirability pillars scored 0–100 vs comparable suburbs
Quick verdicts
Clearer edge on lifestyle fit (score gap ≥ 3)
- Best for familiesBar Beach
- Best for beach lifestyleMerewether
- Best for investmentMerewether
- Best for best valueMerewether
- Best for best schoolsBar Beach
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 | Bar Beach | Merewether |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 40.3/100 | 54.8/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 27.1/100 | 39.0/100 |
| Crime rate | 217.7 / 1k | 80.4 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | 9 | 6 |
| Parks & reserves | 1 | 12 |
| Public transport stops | 20 | 184 |
| Walkability | 34.0/100 | 73.0/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 77 | 218 |
| Planning activity | 3 | 91 |
| Population | 1,292 | 11,788 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 9/10 | 10/10 |
Comparison summary
Bar Beach is a coastal smaller community shaped by beach life and outdoor living, while Merewether is a coastal established suburb shaped by beach life and outdoor living.
Bar Beach tends to lead on a calmer planning outlook, while Merewether stands out for housing affordability and a quieter safety profile.
On balance, families and people chasing a beach lifestyle are more likely to prefer Merewether, while Bar Beach remains a solid alternative depending on what matters most day to day.