Overall score
Burleigh Heads
59.5/100
Palm Beach
73.6/100
Burleigh Heads for schools; Palm Beach for retirees and beach lifestyle.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Overall score
Burleigh Heads
59.5/100
Palm Beach
73.6/100
Crime rate
Burleigh Heads
55.2 / 1k
Palm Beach
26.1 / 1k
Nearby amenities
Burleigh Heads
335
Palm Beach
445
Population
Burleigh Heads
10,572
Palm Beach
16,349
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 | Burleigh Heads | Palm Beach |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 59.5/100 | 73.6/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 38.9/100 | 49.3/100 |
| Crime rate | 55.2 / 1k | 26.1 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | 3 | 3 |
| Parks & reserves | 39 | 68 |
| Public transport stops | 16 | 43 |
| Walkability | 54.0/100 | 100.0/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 335 | 445 |
| Population | 10,572 | 16,349 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 8/10 | 8/10 |
Put side by side, Burleigh Heads is a coastal established suburb with an easy, sea-led rhythm, and Palm Beach is a coastal established suburb shaped by beach life and outdoor living.
Burleigh Heads pulls ahead on generous parks and open space and easy access to the coast, whereas Palm Beach is the better pick for housing affordability and a quieter safety profile.
Burleigh Heads suits households prioritising schools more clearly, whereas Palm Beach is the stronger match for retirees and people chasing a beach lifestyle.