Overall score
Barlows Hill
30.6/100
Cooee Bay
34.6/100
Barlows Hill for retirees and beach lifestyle; Cooee Bay for families.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Overall score
Barlows Hill
30.6/100
Cooee Bay
34.6/100
Crime rate
Barlows Hill
38.7 / 1k
Cooee Bay
38.6 / 1k
Nearby amenities
Barlows Hill
0
Cooee Bay
24
Population
Barlows Hill
834
Cooee Bay
942
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 | Barlows Hill | Cooee Bay |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 30.6/100 | 34.6/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 51.0/100 | 21.3/100 |
| Crime rate | 38.7 / 1k | 38.6 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | 3 | 2 |
| Parks & reserves | — | 4 |
| Walkability | 0.0/100 | 3.5/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 0 | 24 |
| Population | 834 | 942 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 6/10 | 3/10 |
Barlows Hill reads as a coastal smaller community shaped by beach life and outdoor living; Cooee Bay is a regional smaller community that feels self-contained without feeling remote. Where Barlows Hill is shaped by the coast, Cooee Bay offers a more landlocked suburban rhythm.
Barlows Hill pulls ahead on housing affordability and stronger socioeconomic advantage, whereas Cooee Bay is the better pick for a quieter safety profile and walkability. On housing, Barlows Hill sits in a well priced band, compared with a affordable feel in Cooee Bay.
Choose Barlows Hill if you are weighing people chasing a beach lifestyle and investors; lean toward Cooee Bay for families.