Overall score
Barrack Heights
37.7/100
Shell Cove
55.4/100
Barrack Heights vs Shell Cove, NSW Suburb Comparison
Barrack Heights for investment; Shell Cove for retirees and families.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Visual comparison
Barrack HeightsShell Cove
Crime rate
Barrack Heights
80.0 / 1k
Shell Cove
73.9 / 1k
Nearby amenities
Barrack Heights
80
Shell Cove
178
Population
Barrack Heights
6,003
Shell Cove
7,591
Metric leadBarrack Heights 4Shell Cove 81 tiedacross 13 compared metrics
Livability profile
Desirability pillars scored 0–100 vs comparable suburbs
Quick verdicts
Clearer edge on lifestyle fit (score gap ≥ 3)
- Best for retireesShell Cove
- Best for familiesShell Cove
- Best for beach lifestyleShell Cove
- Best for investmentBarrack Heights
- Best for best valueShell Cove
- Best for best schoolsShell Cove
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 | Shell Cove |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 37.7/100 | 55.4/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 68.2/100 | 49.5/100 |
| Crime rate | 80.0 / 1k | 73.9 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | 8 | 3 |
| Weather (desirability) | 82.3/100 | 82.3/100 |
| Parks & reserves | 10 | 20 |
| Public transport stops | 92 | 56 |
| Walkability | 36.0/100 | 84.0/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 80 | 178 |
| Planning activity | 19 | 43 |
| Green cover | 7.1% | 20.4% |
| Population | 6,003 | 7,591 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 2/10 | 10/10 |
Comparison summary
Put side by side, Barrack Heights is a hills mid-sized suburb where tree cover and calm define the mood, and Shell Cove is a coastal mid-sized suburb with an easy, sea-led rhythm. Where Shell Cove is shaped by the coast, Barrack Heights offers a more landlocked suburban rhythm.
Barrack Heights tends to lead on housing affordability, schools and education options, and public transport access, while Shell Cove stands out for a quieter safety profile, parks and reserves, and walkability.
On balance, retirees, people chasing a beach lifestyle, and value-focused buyers are more likely to prefer Shell Cove, while Barrack Heights remains a solid alternative depending on what matters most day to day.
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.