Overall score
Cooks Hill
48.5/100
Newcastle East
44.3/100
Cooks Hill vs Newcastle East, NSW suburb comparison
Cooks Hill for retirees and families; Newcastle East for beach lifestyle and investment.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Visual comparison
Cooks HillNewcastle East
Crime rate
Cooks Hill
217.9 / 1k
Newcastle East
218.0 / 1k
Nearby amenities
Cooks Hill
281
Newcastle East
305
Population
Cooks Hill
3,774
Newcastle East
1,061
Metric leadCooks Hill 7Newcastle East 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 retireesCooks Hill
- Best for familiesCooks Hill
- Best for beach lifestyleNewcastle East
- Best for investmentNewcastle East
- Best for best schoolsCooks Hill
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 | Cooks Hill | Newcastle East |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 48.5/100 | 44.3/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 12.6/100 | 22.2/100 |
| Crime rate | 217.9 / 1k | 218.0 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | 8 | 4 |
| Parks & reserves | 1 | 3 |
| Public transport stops | 28 | 6 |
| Walkability | 100.0/100 | 48.0/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 281 | 305 |
| Planning activity | 17 | 10 |
| Population | 3,774 | 1,061 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 10/10 | 9/10 |
Comparison summary
Put side by side, Cooks Hill is a lively metro mid-sized suburb with dining and everyday convenience close by, and Newcastle East is a coastal smaller community with an easy, sea-led rhythm. Where Newcastle East is shaped by the coast, Cooks Hill offers a more landlocked suburban rhythm.
Cooks Hill tends to lead on public transport access and walkability, while Newcastle East stands out for housing affordability and parks and reserves.
Cooks Hill suits retirees and households prioritising schools more clearly, whereas Newcastle East is the stronger match for families and people chasing a beach lifestyle.