Overall score
Caringbah
68.0/100
Dolans Bay
39.0/100
Caringbah vs Dolans Bay, NSW suburb comparison
Caringbah for families and value; Dolans Bay for retirees and investment.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Visual comparison
CaringbahDolans Bay
Crime rate
Caringbah
46.5 / 1k
Dolans Bay
46.0 / 1k
Nearby amenities
Caringbah
591
Dolans Bay
6
Population
Caringbah
12,575
Dolans Bay
699
Metric leadCaringbah 7Dolans Bay 4across 11 compared metrics
Livability profile
Desirability pillars scored 0–100 vs comparable suburbs
Quick verdicts
Clearer edge on lifestyle fit (score gap ≥ 3)
- Best for retireesDolans Bay
- Best for familiesCaringbah
- Best for investmentDolans Bay
- Best for best valueCaringbah
- Best for best schoolsCaringbah
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 | Caringbah | Dolans Bay |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 68.0/100 | 39.0/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 17.4/100 | 39.8/100 |
| Crime rate | 46.5 / 1k | 46.0 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | 12 | 5 |
| Parks & reserves | 7 | 1 |
| Public transport stops | 150 | 10 |
| Walkability | 100.0/100 | 15.0/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 591 | 6 |
| Planning activity | 34 | 9 |
| Population | 12,575 | 699 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 9/10 | 10/10 |
Comparison summary
Put side by side, Caringbah is a lively metro established suburb with dining and everyday convenience close by, and Dolans Bay is a practical metro smaller community with solid links to the wider city. Caringbah sits in a middle-ring position, whereas Dolans Bay is further out with more breathing room.
Caringbah pulls ahead on parks and reserves and public transport access, whereas Dolans Bay is the better pick for housing affordability and a quieter safety profile.
Families and value-focused buyers may find Caringbah the better fit, while retirees and investors are more likely to prefer Dolans Bay.