Overall score
Elizabeth Bay
58.3/100
Surry Hills
62.0/100
Elizabeth Bay for retirees and families; Surry Hills for value.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Overall score
Elizabeth Bay
58.3/100
Surry Hills
62.0/100
Crime rate
Elizabeth Bay
189.1 / 1k
Surry Hills
208.3 / 1k
Nearby amenities
Elizabeth Bay
310
Surry Hills
707
Population
Elizabeth Bay
4,878
Surry Hills
15,828
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 | Elizabeth Bay | Surry Hills |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 58.3/100 | 62.0/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 2.3/100 | 5.9/100 |
| Crime rate | 189.1 / 1k | 208.3 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | 15 | 28 |
| Parks & reserves | 5 | 15 |
| Public transport stops | 12 | 65 |
| Walkability | 82.0/100 | 100.0/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 310 | 707 |
| Planning activity | 27 | 99 |
| Population | 4,878 | 15,828 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 10/10 | 10/10 |
Elizabeth Bay is a well-serviced metro mid-sized suburb with plenty happening nearby, while Surry Hills is a leafier hillside established suburb with elevated outlooks. Surry Hills sits among greener hillside streets, while Elizabeth Bay keeps a flatter suburban layout.
Elizabeth Bay pulls ahead on a quieter safety profile and a calmer planning outlook, whereas Surry Hills is the better pick for housing affordability and parks and reserves.
Choose Elizabeth Bay if you are weighing retirees; lean toward Surry Hills for value-focused buyers and households prioritising schools.