Overall score
Barden Ridge
52.5/100
Waterfall
37.7/100
Barden Ridge vs Waterfall, NSW suburb comparison
Barden Ridge for retirees and families.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Visual comparison
Barden RidgeWaterfall
Crime rate
Barden Ridge
20.7 / 1k
Waterfall
22.8 / 1k
Nearby amenities
Barden Ridge
113
Waterfall
11
Population
Barden Ridge
4,129
Waterfall
522
Metric leadBarden Ridge 9Waterfall 11 tiedacross 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 retireesBarden Ridge
- Best for familiesBarden Ridge
- Best for investmentBarden Ridge
- Best for best valueBarden Ridge
- Best for best schoolsBarden Ridge
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 | Barden Ridge | Waterfall |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 52.5/100 | 37.7/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 50.4/100 | 56.5/100 |
| Crime rate | 20.7 / 1k | 22.8 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | 2 | 1 |
| Parks & reserves | 2 | 2 |
| Public transport stops | 54 | 11 |
| Walkability | 30.0/100 | 16.5/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 113 | 11 |
| Planning activity | 11 | 12 |
| Population | 4,129 | 522 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 10/10 | 8/10 |
Comparison summary
Put side by side, Barden Ridge is a hills mid-sized suburb where tree cover and calm define the mood, and Waterfall is a hills smaller community where tree cover and calm define the mood. Barden Ridge sits in a middle-ring position, whereas Waterfall is within day-trip reach of the capital.
Barden Ridge tends to lead on a quieter safety profile and schools and education options, while Waterfall stands out for housing affordability.
On balance, retirees and families are more likely to prefer Barden Ridge, while Waterfall remains a solid alternative depending on what matters most day to day.