Overall score
Curl Curl
60.8/100
Freshwater
71.0/100
Curl Curl for families and schools; Freshwater for beach lifestyle and value.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Overall score
Curl Curl
60.8/100
Freshwater
71.0/100
Crime rate
Curl Curl
20.7 / 1k
Freshwater
20.8 / 1k
Nearby amenities
Curl Curl
87
Freshwater
228
Population
Curl Curl
2,364
Freshwater
9,186
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 | Curl Curl | Freshwater |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 60.8/100 | 71.0/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 39.5/100 | 38.1/100 |
| Crime rate | 20.7 / 1k | 20.8 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | 10 | 10 |
| Parks & reserves | 3 | 7 |
| Public transport stops | 41 | 102 |
| Walkability | 32.0/100 | 100.0/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 87 | 228 |
| Planning activity | 14 | 36 |
| Population | 2,364 | 9,186 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 10/10 | 10/10 |
Curl Curl is a coastal smaller community with an easy, sea-led rhythm, while Freshwater is a coastal established suburb with an easy, sea-led rhythm.
On the data, Curl Curl is stronger for housing affordability and a quieter safety profile; Freshwater answers with schools and education options and parks and reserves.
On balance, families and people chasing a beach lifestyle are more likely to prefer Freshwater, while Curl Curl remains a solid alternative depending on what matters most day to day.