Overall score
East Ballina
49.2/100
Skennars Head
49.8/100
East Ballina vs Skennars Head, NSW Suburb Comparison
East Ballina for retirees and investment; Skennars Head for families and value.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Visual comparison
East BallinaSkennars Head
Crime rate
East Ballina
89.9 / 1k
Skennars Head
89.5 / 1k
Nearby amenities
East Ballina
479
Skennars Head
120
Population
East Ballina
5,882
Skennars Head
1,303
Metric leadEast Ballina 5Skennars Head 61 tiedacross 12 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 familiesSkennars Head
- Best for investmentEast Ballina
- Best for best valueSkennars Head
- Best for best schoolsSkennars Head
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 | East Ballina | Skennars Head |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 49.2/100 | 49.8/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 60.4/100 | 60.9/100 |
| Crime rate | 89.9 / 1k | 89.5 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | 2 | 3 |
| Weather (desirability) | 47.5/100 | 47.5/100 |
| Parks & reserves | 17 | — |
| Public transport stops | 209 | 37 |
| Walkability | 36.0/100 | 30.0/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 479 | 120 |
| Planning activity | 27 | 12 |
| Green cover | 14.1% | 4.0% |
| Population | 5,882 | 1,303 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 7/10 | 8/10 |
Comparison summary
East Ballina is a coastal mid-sized suburb with an easy, sea-led rhythm, while Skennars Head is a coastal smaller community shaped by beach life and outdoor living.
On the data, East Ballina is stronger for public transport access, walkability, and nearby cafés and amenities; Skennars Head answers with housing affordability, a quieter safety profile, and schools and education options.
People chasing a beach lifestyle may find East Ballina the better fit, while families, investors, and households prioritising schools are more likely to prefer Skennars Head.
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.