Overall score
Boat Harbour
31.8/100
Nelson Bay
42.2/100
Boat Harbour vs Nelson Bay, NSW suburb comparison
Boat Harbour for retirees and families; Nelson Bay for beach lifestyle and investment.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Visual comparison
Boat HarbourNelson Bay
Crime rate
Boat Harbour
41.6 / 1k
Nelson Bay
70.0 / 1k
Nearby amenities
Boat Harbour
69
Nelson Bay
51
Population
Boat Harbour
993
Nelson Bay
6,141
Metric leadBoat Harbour 6Nelson Bay 4across 10 compared metrics
Livability profile
Desirability pillars scored 0–100 vs comparable suburbs
Quick verdicts
Clearer edge on lifestyle fit (score gap ≥ 3)
- Best for retireesBoat Harbour
- Best for familiesBoat Harbour
- Best for beach lifestyleNelson Bay
- Best for investmentNelson Bay
- Best for best valueNelson Bay
- Best for best schoolsNelson 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 | Boat Harbour | Nelson Bay |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 31.8/100 | 42.2/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 28.0/100 | 25.2/100 |
| Crime rate | 41.6 / 1k | 70.0 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | — | 1 |
| Parks & reserves | 7 | 2 |
| Public transport stops | 20 | 122 |
| Walkability | 30.0/100 | 32.0/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 69 | 51 |
| Planning activity | 12 | 72 |
| Population | 993 | 6,141 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 8/10 | 4/10 |
Comparison summary
Boat Harbour reads as a coastal smaller community shaped by beach life and outdoor living; Nelson Bay is a beachside mid-sized suburb where the coast sets the tone.
Boat Harbour pulls ahead on housing affordability and a quieter safety profile, whereas Nelson Bay is the better pick for public transport access and walkability.
Choose Boat Harbour if you are weighing retirees and families; lean toward Nelson Bay for people chasing a beach lifestyle and investors.
Related comparisons
- Medowie vs Nelson Bay (NSW)
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- Boat Harbour (Port Stephens - NSW) vs One Mile (NSW)
- Boat Harbour (Port Stephens - NSW) vs Salamander Bay
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