Overall score
East Rockingham
15.0/100
Garden Island
24.5/100
East Rockingham for investment and schools; Garden Island for beach lifestyle and value.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Overall score
East Rockingham
15.0/100
Garden Island
24.5/100
Crime rate
East Rockingham
43601.1 / 1k
Garden Island
17810.3 / 1k
Nearby amenities
East Rockingham
6
Garden Island
0
Population
East Rockingham
311
Garden Island
772
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 | East Rockingham | Garden Island |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 15.0/100 | 24.5/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 10.6/100 | — |
| Crime rate | 43601.1 / 1k | 17810.3 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | 1 | — |
| Parks & reserves | 1 | 1 |
| Public transport stops | 10 | — |
| Walkability | 15.0/100 | 0.0/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 6 | 0 |
| Population | 311 | 772 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 1/10 | — |
East Rockingham reads as a coastal smaller community shaped by beach life and outdoor living; Garden Island is a beachside smaller community where the coast sets the tone. Garden Island sits among greener hillside streets, while East Rockingham keeps a flatter suburban layout.
East Rockingham tends to lead on walkability and nearby cafés and amenities, while Garden Island stands out for a quieter safety profile and overall desirability. On housing, East Rockingham sits in a affordable band, compared with a expensive feel in Garden Island.
Families and investors may find East Rockingham the better fit, while value-focused buyers are more likely to prefer Garden Island.