Overall score
Bateau Bay
71.2/100
Forresters Beach
57.5/100
Bateau Bay vs Forresters Beach, NSW suburb comparison
Bateau Bay for families and beach lifestyle; Forresters Beach for retirees.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Visual comparison
Bateau BayForresters Beach
Crime rate
Bateau Bay
66.7 / 1k
Forresters Beach
35.3 / 1k
Nearby amenities
Bateau Bay
246
Forresters Beach
47
Population
Bateau Bay
12,516
Forresters Beach
3,354
Metric leadBateau Bay 8Forresters Beach 3across 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 retireesForresters Beach
- Best for familiesBateau Bay
- Best for beach lifestyleBateau Bay
- Best for investmentBateau Bay
- Best for best valueBateau Bay
- Best for best schoolsBateau Bay
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 | Bateau Bay | Forresters Beach |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 71.2/100 | 57.5/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 63.5/100 | 48.8/100 |
| Crime rate | 66.7 / 1k | 35.3 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | 5 | 3 |
| Parks & reserves | 8 | 4 |
| Public transport stops | 179 | 62 |
| Walkability | 96.0/100 | 74.0/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 246 | 47 |
| Planning activity | 40 | 16 |
| Population | 12,516 | 3,354 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 5/10 | 9/10 |
Comparison summary
Bateau Bay reads as a coastal established suburb shaped by beach life and outdoor living; Forresters Beach is a coastal mid-sized suburb with an easy, sea-led rhythm.
Bateau Bay tends to lead on housing affordability and parks and reserves, while Forresters Beach stands out for a quieter safety profile and a calmer planning outlook.
Bateau Bay suits people chasing a beach lifestyle and investors more clearly, whereas Forresters Beach is the stronger match for retirees.