Overall score
Dee Why
68.0/100
Wheeler Heights
59.7/100
Dee Why for retirees and beach lifestyle; Wheeler Heights for families and schools.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Overall score
Dee Why
68.0/100
Wheeler Heights
59.7/100
Crime rate
Dee Why
26.5 / 1k
Wheeler Heights
16.6 / 1k
Nearby amenities
Dee Why
497
Wheeler Heights
42
Population
Dee Why
23,354
Wheeler Heights
3,232
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 | Dee Why | Wheeler Heights |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 68.0/100 | 59.7/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 76.9/100 | 42.4/100 |
| Crime rate | 26.5 / 1k | 16.6 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | 14 | 7 |
| Weather (desirability) | 82.3/100 | 82.3/100 |
| Parks & reserves | 11 | 2 |
| Public transport stops | 122 | 27 |
| Walkability | 100.0/100 | 47.0/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 497 | 42 |
| Planning activity | 56 | 9 |
| Green cover | 7.1% | 3.7% |
| Population | 23,354 | 3,232 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 9/10 | 10/10 |
Dee Why is a beachside established suburb where the coast sets the tone, while Wheeler Heights is a leafier hillside mid-sized suburb with elevated outlooks. Where Dee Why is shaped by the coast, Wheeler Heights offers a more landlocked suburban rhythm.
Dee Why pulls ahead on housing affordability, schools and education options, and parks and reserves, whereas Wheeler Heights is the better pick for a quieter safety profile, a calmer planning outlook, and stronger socioeconomic advantage.
People chasing a beach lifestyle and value-focused buyers may find Dee Why the better fit, while retirees, investors, and households prioritising schools are more likely to prefer Wheeler Heights.
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.