Overall score
Caves Beach
50.9/100
Swansea Heads
29.4/100
Caves Beach vs Swansea Heads, NSW suburb comparison
Caves Beach for families and beach lifestyle.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Visual comparison
Caves BeachSwansea Heads
Crime rate
Caves Beach
56.0 / 1k
Swansea Heads
56.4 / 1k
Nearby amenities
Caves Beach
93
Swansea Heads
28
Population
Caves Beach
4,016
Swansea Heads
609
Metric leadCaves Beach 7Swansea Heads 3across 10 compared metrics
Livability profile
Desirability pillars scored 0–100 vs comparable suburbs
Quick verdicts
Clearer edge on lifestyle fit (score gap ≥ 3)
- Best for familiesCaves Beach
- Best for beach lifestyleCaves Beach
- Best for best valueCaves Beach
- Best for best schoolsCaves Beach
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 | Caves Beach | Swansea Heads |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 50.9/100 | 29.4/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 49.0/100 | 49.3/100 |
| Crime rate | 56.0 / 1k | 56.4 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | 3 | 1 |
| Parks & reserves | — | 1 |
| Public transport stops | 59 | 9 |
| Walkability | 80.0/100 | 13.5/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 93 | 28 |
| Planning activity | 18 | 5 |
| Population | 4,016 | 609 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 7/10 | 9/10 |
Comparison summary
Put side by side, Caves Beach is a beachside mid-sized suburb where the coast sets the tone, and Swansea Heads is a coastal smaller community shaped by beach life and outdoor living.
Caves Beach pulls ahead on public transport access and walkability, whereas Swansea Heads is the better pick for housing affordability and a quieter safety profile.
On balance, families and people chasing a beach lifestyle are more likely to prefer Caves Beach, while Swansea Heads remains a solid alternative depending on what matters most day to day.