Overall score
Bucca
33.1/100
Emerald Beach
36.1/100
Bucca for families and schools; Emerald Beach for beach lifestyle and investment.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Overall score
Bucca
33.1/100
Emerald Beach
36.1/100
Crime rate
Bucca
127.2 / 1k
Emerald Beach
64.7 / 1k
Nearby amenities
Bucca
3
Emerald Beach
0
Population
Bucca
614
Emerald Beach
2,677
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 | Bucca | Emerald Beach |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 33.1/100 | 36.1/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 50.2/100 | 65.5/100 |
| Crime rate | 127.2 / 1k | 64.7 / 1k |
| Parks & reserves | 1 | 1 |
| Public transport stops | 57 | 63 |
| Walkability | 30.0/100 | 30.0/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 3 | 0 |
| Planning activity | 3 | 23 |
| Population | 614 | 2,677 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 4/10 | 7/10 |
Put side by side, Bucca is a quieter smaller community with space and a country-town pace, and Emerald Beach is a beachside mid-sized suburb where the coast sets the tone. Where Emerald Beach is shaped by the coast, Bucca offers a more landlocked suburban rhythm.
On the data, Bucca is stronger for nearby cafés and amenities and a calmer planning outlook; Emerald Beach answers with housing affordability and a quieter safety profile.
Choose Bucca if you are weighing families and households prioritising schools; lean toward Emerald Beach for people chasing a beach lifestyle and investors.