Overall score
Barrack Heights
50.0/100
Lake Illawarra
47.0/100
Barrack Heights vs Lake Illawarra, NSW suburb comparison
Barrack Heights for retirees; Lake Illawarra for beach lifestyle.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Visual comparison
Barrack HeightsLake Illawarra
Crime rate
Barrack Heights
80.0 / 1k
Lake Illawarra
80.0 / 1k
Nearby amenities
Barrack Heights
79
Lake Illawarra
81
Population
Barrack Heights
6,003
Lake Illawarra
3,288
Metric leadBarrack Heights 8Lake Illawarra 21 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 retireesBarrack Heights
- Best for beach lifestyleLake Illawarra
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 | Barrack Heights | Lake Illawarra |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 50.0/100 | 47.0/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 71.3/100 | 73.8/100 |
| Crime rate | 80.0 / 1k | 80.0 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | 8 | 7 |
| Parks & reserves | 10 | 5 |
| Public transport stops | 92 | 64 |
| Walkability | 36.0/100 | 32.0/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 79 | 81 |
| Planning activity | 15 | 16 |
| Population | 6,003 | 3,288 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 2/10 | 1/10 |
Comparison summary
Barrack Heights reads as a hills mid-sized suburb where tree cover and calm define the mood; Lake Illawarra is a coastal mid-sized suburb with an easy, sea-led rhythm. Where Lake Illawarra is shaped by the coast, Barrack Heights offers a more landlocked suburban rhythm.
Barrack Heights tends to lead on parks and reserves and public transport access, while Lake Illawarra stands out for housing affordability and nearby cafés and amenities.
Retirees may find Barrack Heights the better fit, while people chasing a beach lifestyle are more likely to prefer Lake Illawarra.