Overall score
East Ballina
47.7/100
West Ballina
54.0/100
East Ballina vs West Ballina, NSW suburb comparison
East Ballina for retirees and beach lifestyle; West Ballina for families and investment.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Visual comparison
East BallinaWest Ballina
Crime rate
East Ballina
89.9 / 1k
West Ballina
89.8 / 1k
Nearby amenities
East Ballina
375
West Ballina
77
Population
East Ballina
5,882
West Ballina
3,230
Metric leadEast Ballina 6West Ballina 5across 11 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 familiesWest Ballina
- Best for beach lifestyleEast Ballina
- Best for investmentWest Ballina
- Best for best valueWest Ballina
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 | West Ballina |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 47.7/100 | 54.0/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 55.1/100 | 61.5/100 |
| Crime rate | 89.9 / 1k | 89.8 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | 2 | 1 |
| Parks & reserves | 17 | 8 |
| Public transport stops | 209 | 162 |
| Walkability | 36.0/100 | 63.0/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 375 | 77 |
| Planning activity | 22 | 16 |
| Population | 5,882 | 3,230 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 7/10 | 2/10 |
Comparison summary
Put side by side, East Ballina is a coastal mid-sized suburb with an easy, sea-led rhythm, and West Ballina is a regional hub with its own identity and everyday convenience. Where East Ballina is shaped by the coast, West Ballina offers a more landlocked suburban rhythm.
East Ballina pulls ahead on parks and reserves and public transport access, whereas West Ballina is the better pick for housing affordability and walkability. On housing, East Ballina sits in a expensive band, compared with a affordable feel in West Ballina.
Choose East Ballina if you are weighing retirees and people chasing a beach lifestyle; lean toward West Ballina for investors and value-focused buyers.