Overall score
Bonnells Bay
51.8/100
Silverwater
23.8/100
Bonnells Bay for retirees and families.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Overall score
Bonnells Bay
51.8/100
Silverwater
23.8/100
Crime rate
Bonnells Bay
76.5 / 1k
Silverwater
76.1 / 1k
Nearby amenities
Bonnells Bay
49
Silverwater
2
Population
Bonnells Bay
4,066
Silverwater
274
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 | Bonnells Bay | Silverwater |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 51.8/100 | 23.8/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 51.4/100 | 41.0/100 |
| Crime rate | 76.5 / 1k | 76.1 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | 3 | 1 |
| Parks & reserves | 2 | — |
| Public transport stops | 62 | 4 |
| Walkability | 76.0/100 | 6.0/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 49 | 2 |
| Planning activity | 20 | 2 |
| Population | 4,066 | 274 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 4/10 | 2/10 |
Put side by side, Bonnells Bay is a well-serviced metro mid-sized suburb with plenty happening nearby, and Silverwater is a settled metro smaller community that keeps everyday living grounded and accessible. Bonnells Bay sits in a middle-ring position, whereas Silverwater is further out with more breathing room.
Bonnells Bay tends to lead on housing affordability and public transport access, while Silverwater stands out for a quieter safety profile and a calmer planning outlook. Bonnells Bay generally means more sought-after housing, while Silverwater leans toward more approachable housing costs.
On balance, retirees and investors are more likely to prefer Bonnells Bay, while Silverwater remains a solid alternative depending on what matters most day to day.