Overall score
Black Rock
71.2/100
Sandringham
76.9/100
Black Rock for retirees; Sandringham for beach lifestyle and investment.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Overall score
Black Rock
71.2/100
Sandringham
76.9/100
Crime rate
Black Rock
26.9 / 1k
Sandringham
47.0 / 1k
Nearby amenities
Black Rock
132
Sandringham
320
Population
Black Rock
6,389
Sandringham
10,926
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 | Black Rock | Sandringham |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 71.2/100 | 76.9/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 40.9/100 | 33.8/100 |
| Crime rate | 26.9 / 1k | 47.0 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | 5 | 7 |
| Parks & reserves | 2 | 8 |
| Public transport stops | 26 | 51 |
| Walkability | 96.0/100 | 100.0/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 132 | 320 |
| Planning activity | 66 | 76 |
| Population | 6,389 | 10,926 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 10/10 | 10/10 |
Black Rock is a beachside mid-sized suburb where the coast sets the tone, while Sandringham is a coastal established suburb with an easy, sea-led rhythm.
Black Rock tends to lead on housing affordability and a quieter safety profile, while Sandringham stands out for schools and education options and parks and reserves.
Choose Black Rock if you are weighing retirees; lean toward Sandringham for people chasing a beach lifestyle and investors.