Overall score
Cumbalum
49.4/100
West Ballina
51.2/100
Cumbalum vs West Ballina, NSW Suburb Comparison
Cumbalum for schools; West Ballina for families and investment.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Visual comparison
CumbalumWest Ballina
Crime rate
Cumbalum
89.7 / 1k
West Ballina
89.8 / 1k
Nearby amenities
Cumbalum
15
West Ballina
135
Population
Cumbalum
2,211
West Ballina
3,230
Metric leadCumbalum 4West 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 familiesWest Ballina
- Best for investmentWest Ballina
- 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 | West Ballina |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 49.4/100 | 51.2/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 52.0/100 | 81.1/100 |
| Crime rate | 89.7 / 1k | 89.8 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | — | 1 |
| Weather (desirability) | 47.5/100 | 47.5/100 |
| Parks & reserves | — | 8 |
| Public transport stops | 16 | 162 |
| Walkability | 24.0/100 | 63.0/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 15 | 135 |
| Planning activity | 15 | 20 |
| Green cover | 4.4% | 2.2% |
| Population | 2,211 | 3,230 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 9/10 | 2/10 |
Comparison summary
Cumbalum is a regional smaller community with local services and a more relaxed pace, while West Ballina is a regional hub with its own identity and everyday convenience.
On the data, Cumbalum is stronger for a quieter safety profile, a calmer planning outlook, and stronger socioeconomic advantage; West Ballina answers with public transport access, walkability, and nearby cafés and amenities.
Choose Cumbalum if you are weighing retirees; lean toward West Ballina for families, value-focused buyers, 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.