Overall score
Bar Beach
43.9/100
Merewether
55.1/100
Bar Beach for families and beach lifestyle; Merewether for investment and value.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Overall score
Bar Beach
43.9/100
Merewether
55.1/100
Crime rate
Bar Beach
217.7 / 1k
Merewether
80.4 / 1k
Nearby amenities
Bar Beach
83
Merewether
235
Population
Bar Beach
1,292
Merewether
11,788
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 | Bar Beach | Merewether |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 43.9/100 | 55.1/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 58.8/100 | 54.0/100 |
| Crime rate | 217.7 / 1k | 80.4 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | 9 | 6 |
| Weather (desirability) | 60.5/100 | 60.5/100 |
| Parks & reserves | 1 | 12 |
| Public transport stops | 20 | 184 |
| Walkability | 34.0/100 | 73.0/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 83 | 235 |
| Planning activity | 4 | 108 |
| Green cover | 12.0% | 5.0% |
| Population | 1,292 | 11,788 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 9/10 | 10/10 |
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 schools and education options, plus a calmer planning outlook, while Merewether stands out for housing affordability, a quieter safety profile, and parks and reserves.
Families and households prioritising schools may find Bar Beach the better fit, while people chasing a beach lifestyle, investors, and value-focused buyers are more likely to prefer Merewether.
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.