Overall score
Bunbury
68.0/100
Margaret River
38.5/100
Bunbury vs Margaret River, WA suburb comparison
Bunbury for retirees and families.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Visual comparison
BunburyMargaret River
Crime rate
Bunbury
1919.7 / 1k
Margaret River
756.8 / 1k
Nearby amenities
Bunbury
308
Margaret River
0
Population
Bunbury
3,948
Margaret River
8,918
Metric leadBunbury 8Margaret River 2across 10 compared metrics
Livability profile
Desirability pillars scored 0–100 vs comparable suburbs
Quick verdicts
Clearer edge on lifestyle fit (score gap ≥ 3)
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 | Bunbury | Margaret River |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 68.0/100 | 38.5/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 42.7/100 | 20.0/100 |
| Crime rate | 1919.7 / 1k | 756.8 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | 7 | 2 |
| Parks & reserves | 4 | 3 |
| Public transport stops | 38 | 1 |
| Walkability | 100.0/100 | 1.5/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 308 | 0 |
| Population | 3,948 | 8,918 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 7/10 | 6/10 |
Comparison summary
Bunbury is a coastal mid-sized suburb with an easy, sea-led rhythm, while Margaret River is a slower-paced established suburb with open surrounds. Bunbury leans into coastal living, while Margaret River feels more inland and suburban in character.
Bunbury tends to lead on housing affordability and schools and education options, while Margaret River stands out for a quieter safety profile and a larger local community.
On balance, retirees and families are more likely to prefer Bunbury, while Margaret River remains a solid alternative depending on what matters most day to day.