Overall score
Caloundra West
53.4/100
Dicky Beach
57.6/100
Caloundra West for value; Dicky Beach for retirees and families.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Overall score
Caloundra West
53.4/100
Dicky Beach
57.6/100
Crime rate
Caloundra West
44.4 / 1k
Dicky Beach
44.5 / 1k
Nearby amenities
Caloundra West
107
Dicky Beach
67
Population
Caloundra West
7,270
Dicky Beach
1,921
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 | Caloundra West | Dicky Beach |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 53.4/100 | 57.6/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 65.2/100 | 58.8/100 |
| Crime rate | 44.4 / 1k | 44.5 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | 3 | 5 |
| Weather (desirability) | 31.2/100 | 31.2/100 |
| Parks & reserves | 7 | 5 |
| Public transport stops | 19 | 10 |
| Walkability | 72.5/100 | 42.0/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 107 | 67 |
| Green cover | 12.2% | 9.5% |
| Population | 7,270 | 1,921 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 5/10 | 6/10 |
Caloundra West reads as a well-serviced metro mid-sized suburb with plenty happening nearby; Dicky Beach is a coastal smaller community with an easy, sea-led rhythm. Where Dicky Beach is shaped by the coast, Caloundra West offers a more landlocked suburban rhythm.
On the data, Caloundra West is stronger for housing affordability, parks and reserves, and public transport access; Dicky Beach answers with a quieter safety profile, schools and education options, and stronger socioeconomic advantage.
Investors and value-focused buyers may find Caloundra West the better fit, while families, people chasing a beach lifestyle, and households prioritising schools are more likely to prefer Dicky Beach.
Generated from the official metrics on this page. It can omit nuance or contain errors — check the tables and source notes before relying on it.