Overall score
Dundowran Beach
38.0/100
Eli Waters
45.6/100
Dundowran Beach for retirees and beach lifestyle; Eli Waters for schools.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Overall score
Dundowran Beach
38.0/100
Eli Waters
45.6/100
Crime rate
Dundowran Beach
42.1 / 1k
Eli Waters
42.0 / 1k
Nearby amenities
Dundowran Beach
4
Eli Waters
19
Population
Dundowran Beach
2,299
Eli Waters
3,758
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 | Dundowran Beach | Eli Waters |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 38.0/100 | 45.6/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 89.6/100 | 83.2/100 |
| Crime rate | 42.1 / 1k | 42.0 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | — | 2 |
| Parks & reserves | 2 | — |
| Walkability | 0.0/100 | 0.0/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 4 | 19 |
| Population | 2,299 | 3,758 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 7/10 | 2/10 |
Put side by side, Dundowran Beach is a coastal smaller community with an easy, sea-led rhythm, and Eli Waters is a regional hub with its own identity and everyday convenience. Dundowran Beach leans into coastal living, while Eli Waters feels more inland and suburban in character.
Dundowran Beach pulls ahead on housing affordability and a quieter safety profile, whereas Eli Waters is the better pick for nearby cafés and amenities and overall desirability. Dundowran Beach generally means more mid-market housing value, while Eli Waters leans toward more approachable housing costs.
On balance, retirees and people chasing a beach lifestyle are more likely to prefer Dundowran Beach, while Eli Waters remains a solid alternative depending on what matters most day to day.