Overall score
Blackbutt
50.4/100
Lake Illawarra
47.0/100
Blackbutt vs Lake Illawarra, NSW suburb comparison
Blackbutt for retirees and families; Lake Illawarra for beach lifestyle and investment.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Visual comparison
BlackbuttLake Illawarra
Crime rate
Blackbutt
73.9 / 1k
Lake Illawarra
80.0 / 1k
Nearby amenities
Blackbutt
72
Lake Illawarra
81
Population
Blackbutt
3,291
Lake Illawarra
3,288
Metric leadBlackbutt 6Lake Illawarra 41 tiedacross 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 retireesBlackbutt
- Best for familiesBlackbutt
- Best for beach lifestyleLake Illawarra
- Best for investmentLake Illawarra
- Best for best valueLake Illawarra
- Best for best schoolsBlackbutt
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 | Blackbutt | Lake Illawarra |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 50.4/100 | 47.0/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 60.8/100 | 73.8/100 |
| Crime rate | 73.9 / 1k | 80.0 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | 7 | 7 |
| Parks & reserves | 10 | 5 |
| Public transport stops | 45 | 64 |
| Walkability | 30.0/100 | 32.0/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 72 | 81 |
| Planning activity | 3 | 16 |
| Population | 3,291 | 3,288 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 5/10 | 1/10 |
Comparison summary
Put side by side, Blackbutt is an energetic metro mid-sized suburb where cafés and local life overlap, and Lake Illawarra is a coastal mid-sized suburb with an easy, sea-led rhythm. Lake Illawarra leans into coastal living, while Blackbutt feels more inland and suburban in character.
Blackbutt tends to lead on parks and reserves and overall desirability, while Lake Illawarra stands out for housing affordability and a quieter safety profile. On housing, Blackbutt sits in a expensive band, compared with a affordable feel in Lake Illawarra.
Retirees and families may find Blackbutt the better fit, while people chasing a beach lifestyle and investors are more likely to prefer Lake Illawarra.