Overall score
Barwon Heads
63.7/100
Ocean Grove
59.7/100
Barwon Heads vs Ocean Grove, VIC Suburb Comparison
Barwon Heads for families and beach lifestyle; Ocean Grove for retirees and value.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Visual comparison
Barwon HeadsOcean Grove
Crime rate
Barwon Heads
33.1 / 1k
Ocean Grove
25.0 / 1k
Nearby amenities
Barwon Heads
88
Ocean Grove
183
Population
Barwon Heads
4,353
Ocean Grove
17,714
Metric leadBarwon Heads 4Ocean Grove 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 retireesOcean Grove
- Best for familiesBarwon Heads
- Best for beach lifestyleBarwon Heads
- Best for best valueOcean Grove
- Best for best schoolsBarwon Heads
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 | Barwon Heads | Ocean Grove |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 63.7/100 | 59.7/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 51.8/100 | 55.3/100 |
| Crime rate | 33.1 / 1k | 25.0 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | 1 | 3 |
| Weather (desirability) | 82.3/100 | 82.3/100 |
| Parks & reserves | 4 | 13 |
| Public transport stops | 25 | 56 |
| Walkability | 92.0/100 | 94.0/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 88 | 183 |
| Planning activity | 109 | 218 |
| Green cover | 7.1% | 6.8% |
| Population | 4,353 | 17,714 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 10/10 | 9/10 |
Comparison summary
Put side by side, Barwon Heads is a beachside mid-sized suburb where the coast sets the tone, and Ocean Grove is a beachside established suburb where the coast sets the tone.
On the data, Barwon Heads is stronger for a calmer planning outlook and stronger socioeconomic advantage; Ocean Grove answers with housing affordability, a quieter safety profile, and schools and education options.
Barwon Heads suits retirees and families more clearly, whereas Ocean Grove is the stronger match for people chasing a beach lifestyle, investors, value-focused buyers, and households prioritising schools.
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.