Overall score
Bonbeach
59.4/100
Chelsea Heights
69.7/100
Bonbeach for retirees and families; Chelsea Heights for value.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Overall score
Bonbeach
59.4/100
Chelsea Heights
69.7/100
Crime rate
Bonbeach
40.6 / 1k
Chelsea Heights
60.4 / 1k
Nearby amenities
Bonbeach
75
Chelsea Heights
117
Population
Bonbeach
6,855
Chelsea Heights
5,393
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 | Bonbeach | Chelsea Heights |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 59.4/100 | 69.7/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 53.0/100 | 63.2/100 |
| Crime rate | 40.6 / 1k | 60.4 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | 5 | 4 |
| Parks & reserves | 4 | 7 |
| Public transport stops | 33 | 41 |
| Walkability | 30.0/100 | 98.0/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 75 | 117 |
| Planning activity | 69 | 39 |
| Population | 6,855 | 5,393 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 8/10 | 8/10 |
Bonbeach reads as a coastal mid-sized suburb shaped by beach life and outdoor living; Chelsea Heights is a hills mid-sized suburb where tree cover and calm define the mood. Bonbeach leans into coastal living, while Chelsea Heights feels more inland and suburban in character.
Bonbeach pulls ahead on a quieter safety profile and schools and education options, whereas Chelsea Heights is the better pick for housing affordability and parks and reserves.
Retirees and families may find Bonbeach the better fit, while value-focused buyers are more likely to prefer Chelsea Heights.