Overall score
Cumbalum
49.4/100
East Ballina
49.2/100
Cumbalum vs East Ballina, NSW Suburb Comparison
Cumbalum for value and schools; East Ballina for retirees and families.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Visual comparison
CumbalumEast Ballina
Crime rate
Cumbalum
89.7 / 1k
East Ballina
89.9 / 1k
Nearby amenities
Cumbalum
15
East Ballina
479
Population
Cumbalum
2,211
East Ballina
5,882
Metric leadCumbalum 4East Ballina 61 tiedacross 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 retireesEast Ballina
- Best for familiesEast Ballina
- Best for beach lifestyleEast Ballina
- Best for investmentEast Ballina
- Best for best valueCumbalum
- Best for best schoolsCumbalum
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 | Cumbalum | East Ballina |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 49.4/100 | 49.2/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 52.0/100 | 60.4/100 |
| Crime rate | 89.7 / 1k | 89.9 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | — | 2 |
| Weather (desirability) | 47.5/100 | 47.5/100 |
| Parks & reserves | — | 17 |
| Public transport stops | 16 | 209 |
| Walkability | 24.0/100 | 36.0/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 15 | 479 |
| Planning activity | 15 | 27 |
| Green cover | 4.4% | 14.1% |
| Population | 2,211 | 5,882 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 9/10 | 7/10 |
Comparison summary
Put side by side, Cumbalum is a regional smaller community with local services and a more relaxed pace, and East Ballina is a coastal mid-sized suburb with an easy, sea-led rhythm. Where East Ballina is shaped by the coast, Cumbalum offers a more landlocked suburban rhythm.
Cumbalum tends to lead on housing affordability, a quieter safety profile, and a calmer planning outlook, while East Ballina stands out for public transport access, walkability, and nearby cafés and amenities.
Choose Cumbalum if you are weighing retirees and investors; lean toward East Ballina for people chasing a beach lifestyle and households prioritising schools.
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.