Overall score
Birmingham Gardens
42.2/100
Waratah West
38.4/100
Birmingham Gardens for retirees and families; Waratah West for schools.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Overall score
Birmingham Gardens
42.2/100
Waratah West
38.4/100
Crime rate
Birmingham Gardens
59.8 / 1k
Waratah West
158.0 / 1k
Nearby amenities
Birmingham Gardens
31
Waratah West
50
Population
Birmingham Gardens
2,598
Waratah West
3,142
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 | Birmingham Gardens | Waratah West |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 42.2/100 | 38.4/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 49.7/100 | 46.8/100 |
| Crime rate | 59.8 / 1k | 158.0 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | 8 | 14 |
| Parks & reserves | 1 | 6 |
| Public transport stops | 50 | 48 |
| Walkability | 30.0/100 | 30.0/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 31 | 50 |
| Planning activity | 13 | 9 |
| Population | 2,598 | 3,142 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 4/10 | 5/10 |
Birmingham Gardens reads as a well-connected metro mid-sized suburb with a familiar suburban feel; Waratah West is an energetic metro mid-sized suburb where cafés and local life overlap. Birmingham Gardens sits further out with more breathing room, whereas Waratah West is in a middle-ring position.
On the data, Birmingham Gardens is stronger for housing affordability and a quieter safety profile; Waratah West answers with parks and reserves and nearby cafés and amenities.
Retirees and families may find Birmingham Gardens the better fit, while households prioritising schools are more likely to prefer Waratah West.