Overall score
Clear Island Waters
43.7/100
Mermaid Waters
56.3/100
Clear Island Waters for retirees and families.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Overall score
Clear Island Waters
43.7/100
Mermaid Waters
56.3/100
Crime rate
Clear Island Waters
27.0 / 1k
Mermaid Waters
80.5 / 1k
Nearby amenities
Clear Island Waters
47
Mermaid Waters
300
Population
Clear Island Waters
4,395
Mermaid Waters
13,088
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 | Clear Island Waters | Mermaid Waters |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 43.7/100 | 56.3/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 45.6/100 | 31.4/100 |
| Crime rate | 27.0 / 1k | 80.5 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | 2 | 2 |
| Parks & reserves | 20 | 61 |
| Public transport stops | 3 | 50 |
| Walkability | 6.5/100 | 80.0/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 47 | 300 |
| Population | 4,395 | 13,088 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 9/10 | 8/10 |
Clear Island Waters reads as an energetic metro mid-sized suburb where cafés and local life overlap; Mermaid Waters is a well-serviced metro established suburb with plenty happening nearby.
Clear Island Waters tends to lead on housing affordability and a quieter safety profile, while Mermaid Waters stands out for schools and education options and parks and reserves.
On balance, retirees and families are more likely to prefer Clear Island Waters, while Mermaid Waters remains a solid alternative depending on what matters most day to day.