Overall score
Carrara
40.6/100
Merrimac
53.3/100
Carrara vs Merrimac, QLD Suburb Comparison
Carrara for schools; Merrimac for retirees and families.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Visual comparison
CarraraMerrimac
Crime rate
Carrara
57.1 / 1k
Merrimac
42.5 / 1k
Nearby amenities
Carrara
49
Merrimac
74
Population
Carrara
13,138
Merrimac
7,212
Metric leadCarrara 5Merrimac 61 tiedacross 12 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 | Carrara | Merrimac |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 40.6/100 | 53.3/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 72.8/100 | 60.5/100 |
| Crime rate | 57.1 / 1k | 42.5 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | 2 | 4 |
| Weather (desirability) | 42.8/100 | 42.8/100 |
| Parks & reserves | 2 | 5 |
| Public transport stops | 31 | 21 |
| Walkability | 40.0/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 49 | 74 |
| Green cover | 3.4% | 2.9% |
| Population | 13,138 | 7,212 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 6/10 | 5/10 |
Comparison summary
Put side by side, Carrara is a well-serviced metro established suburb with plenty happening nearby, and Merrimac is a well-serviced metro mid-sized suburb with plenty happening nearby.
Carrara pulls ahead on public transport access, a larger local community, and stronger socioeconomic advantage, whereas Merrimac is the better pick for a quieter safety profile, schools and education options, and parks and reserves.
On balance, retirees, families, value-focused buyers, and households prioritising schools are more likely to prefer Merrimac, while Carrara remains a solid alternative depending on what matters most day to day.
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.