Overall score
Fairlight
59.1/100
North Balgowlah
56.6/100
Fairlight vs North Balgowlah, NSW Suburb Comparison
Fairlight for retirees; North Balgowlah for families and value.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Visual comparison
FairlightNorth Balgowlah
Crime rate
Fairlight
13.0 / 1k
North Balgowlah
24.1 / 1k
Nearby amenities
Fairlight
97
North Balgowlah
47
Population
Fairlight
6,141
North Balgowlah
3,816
Metric leadFairlight 8North Balgowlah 32 tiedacross 13 compared metrics
Livability profile
Desirability pillars scored 0–100 vs comparable suburbs
Quick verdicts
Clearer edge on lifestyle fit (score gap ≥ 3)
- Best for retireesFairlight
- Best for familiesNorth Balgowlah
- Best for best valueNorth Balgowlah
- Best for best schoolsNorth Balgowlah
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 | Fairlight | North Balgowlah |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 59.1/100 | 56.6/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 51.8/100 | 41.5/100 |
| Crime rate | 13.0 / 1k | 24.1 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | 11 | 9 |
| Weather (desirability) | 82.3/100 | 82.3/100 |
| Parks & reserves | 1 | 3 |
| Public transport stops | 62 | 48 |
| Walkability | 61.0/100 | 30.0/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 97 | 47 |
| Planning activity | 35 | 10 |
| Green cover | 2.8% | 3.9% |
| Population | 6,141 | 3,816 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 10/10 | 10/10 |
Comparison summary
Fairlight reads as a lively metro mid-sized suburb with dining and everyday convenience close by; North Balgowlah is a well-serviced metro mid-sized suburb with plenty happening nearby. Fairlight sits in a middle-ring position, whereas North Balgowlah is closer to the city centre.
Fairlight tends to lead on a quieter safety profile, schools and education options, and public transport access, while North Balgowlah stands out for housing affordability, parks and reserves, and overall desirability.
Choose Fairlight if you are weighing retirees; lean toward North Balgowlah for families, value-focused buyers, and households prioritising schools.
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.