Overall score
Fern Bay
37.0/100
Fullerton Cove
36.6/100
Fern Bay vs Fullerton Cove, NSW suburb comparison
Fern Bay for beach lifestyle and value; Fullerton Cove for retirees and families.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Visual comparison
Fern BayFullerton Cove
Crime rate
Fern Bay
55.2 / 1k
Fullerton Cove
39.1 / 1k
Nearby amenities
Fern Bay
53
Fullerton Cove
10
Population
Fern Bay
4,046
Fullerton Cove
735
Metric leadFern Bay 5Fullerton Cove 31 tiedacross 9 compared metrics
Livability profile
Desirability pillars scored 0–100 vs comparable suburbs
Quick verdicts
Clearer edge on lifestyle fit (score gap ≥ 3)
- Best for retireesFullerton Cove
- Best for familiesFullerton Cove
- Best for beach lifestyleFern Bay
- Best for best valueFern Bay
- Best for best schoolsFern Bay
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 | Fern Bay | Fullerton Cove |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 37.0/100 | 36.6/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 68.1/100 | 57.8/100 |
| Crime rate | 55.2 / 1k | 39.1 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | 1 | — |
| Parks & reserves | 2 | — |
| Public transport stops | 33 | 41 |
| Walkability | 30.0/100 | 30.0/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 53 | 10 |
| Planning activity | 16 | 3 |
| Population | 4,046 | 735 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 6/10 | 5/10 |
Comparison summary
Put side by side, Fern Bay is a beachside mid-sized suburb where the coast sets the tone, and Fullerton Cove is a coastal smaller community with an easy, sea-led rhythm.
Fern Bay tends to lead on housing affordability and nearby cafés and amenities, while Fullerton Cove stands out for a quieter safety profile and public transport access.
Fern Bay suits people chasing a beach lifestyle and value-focused buyers more clearly, whereas Fullerton Cove is the stronger match for retirees and families.