Overall score
Blacksmiths
39.7/100
Caves Beach
48.2/100
Blacksmiths vs Caves Beach, NSW Suburb Comparison
Blacksmiths for families and investment; Caves Beach for retirees and schools.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Visual comparison
BlacksmithsCaves Beach
Crime rate
Blacksmiths
55.9 / 1k
Caves Beach
56.0 / 1k
Nearby amenities
Blacksmiths
74
Caves Beach
99
Population
Blacksmiths
1,881
Caves Beach
4,016
Metric leadBlacksmiths 4Caves Beach 62 tiedacross 12 compared metrics
Livability profile
Desirability pillars scored 0–100 vs comparable suburbs
Quick verdicts
Clearer edge on lifestyle fit (score gap ≥ 3)
- Best for retireesCaves Beach
- Best for familiesBlacksmiths
- Best for investmentBlacksmiths
- Best for best schoolsCaves Beach
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 | Blacksmiths | Caves Beach |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 39.7/100 | 48.2/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 57.0/100 | 45.8/100 |
| Crime rate | 55.9 / 1k | 56.0 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | 3 | 3 |
| Weather (desirability) | 60.5/100 | 60.5/100 |
| Parks & reserves | 2 | — |
| Public transport stops | 47 | 59 |
| Walkability | 34.0/100 | 80.0/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 74 | 99 |
| Planning activity | 18 | 21 |
| Green cover | 1.5% | 0.5% |
| Population | 1,881 | 4,016 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 3/10 | 7/10 |
Comparison summary
Put side by side, Blacksmiths is a coastal smaller community with an easy, sea-led rhythm, and Caves Beach is a beachside mid-sized suburb where the coast sets the tone.
Blacksmiths pulls ahead on housing affordability, a quieter safety profile, and a calmer planning outlook, whereas Caves Beach is the better pick for public transport access, walkability, and nearby cafés and amenities.
Choose Blacksmiths if you are weighing investors; lean toward Caves Beach for retirees, families, people chasing a beach lifestyle, 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.