Overall score
East Ballina
47.7/100
Skennars Head
41.8/100
East Ballina vs Skennars Head, NSW suburb comparison
East Ballina for beach lifestyle; Skennars Head for families and investment.
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
375
Skennars Head
32
Population
East Ballina
5,882
Skennars Head
1,303
Metric leadEast Ballina 5Skennars Head 5across 10 compared metrics
Livability profile
Desirability pillars scored 0–100 vs comparable suburbs
Quick verdicts
Clearer edge on lifestyle fit (score gap ≥ 3)
- Best for familiesSkennars Head
- Best for beach lifestyleEast Ballina
- Best for investmentSkennars 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 | 47.7/100 | 41.8/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 55.1/100 | 62.9/100 |
| Crime rate | 89.9 / 1k | 89.5 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | 2 | 3 |
| Parks & reserves | 17 | — |
| Public transport stops | 209 | 37 |
| Walkability | 36.0/100 | 30.0/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 375 | 32 |
| Planning activity | 22 | 10 |
| 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 and walkability; Skennars Head answers with housing affordability and a quieter safety profile.
People chasing a beach lifestyle may find East Ballina the better fit, while families and investors are more likely to prefer Skennars Head.