Overall score
Caringbah
68.0/100
Sylvania Waters
52.7/100
Caringbah for families and schools; Sylvania Waters for investment.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Overall score
Caringbah
68.0/100
Sylvania Waters
52.7/100
Crime rate
Caringbah
46.5 / 1k
Sylvania Waters
33.3 / 1k
Nearby amenities
Caringbah
591
Sylvania Waters
95
Population
Caringbah
12,575
Sylvania Waters
3,200
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 | Caringbah | Sylvania Waters |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 68.0/100 | 52.7/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 17.4/100 | 33.5/100 |
| Crime rate | 46.5 / 1k | 33.3 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | 12 | 9 |
| Parks & reserves | 7 | 1 |
| Public transport stops | 150 | 41 |
| Walkability | 100.0/100 | 49.0/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 591 | 95 |
| Planning activity | 34 | 15 |
| Population | 12,575 | 3,200 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 9/10 | 10/10 |
Caringbah reads as a lively metro established suburb with dining and everyday convenience close by; Sylvania Waters is an energetic metro mid-sized suburb where cafés and local life overlap.
On the data, Caringbah is stronger for parks and reserves and public transport access; Sylvania Waters answers with housing affordability and a quieter safety profile.
Families and households prioritising schools may find Caringbah the better fit, while investors are more likely to prefer Sylvania Waters.