Overall score
Fern Bay
40.8/100
Tomago
41.1/100
Fern Bay for families and beach lifestyle; Tomago for retirees and investment.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Overall score
Fern Bay
40.8/100
Tomago
41.1/100
Crime rate
Fern Bay
55.2 / 1k
Tomago
77.7 / 1k
Nearby amenities
Fern Bay
55
Tomago
5
Population
Fern Bay
4,046
Tomago
269
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 | Fern Bay | Tomago |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 40.8/100 | 41.1/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 64.7/100 | 84.3/100 |
| Crime rate | 55.2 / 1k | 77.7 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | 1 | — |
| Weather (desirability) | 60.5/100 | 60.5/100 |
| Parks & reserves | 2 | — |
| Public transport stops | 33 | 13 |
| Walkability | 30.0/100 | 19.5/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 55 | 5 |
| Planning activity | 19 | 14 |
| Green cover | 2.8% | 26.9% |
| Population | 4,046 | 269 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 6/10 | 1/10 |
Fern Bay reads as a beachside mid-sized suburb where the coast sets the tone; Tomago is a metro smaller community with a gently premium housing feel and familiar suburban calm. Where Fern Bay is shaped by the coast, Tomago offers a more landlocked suburban rhythm.
Fern Bay tends to lead on a quieter safety profile, public transport access, and walkability, while Tomago stands out for housing affordability and a calmer planning outlook.
Retirees, families, people chasing a beach lifestyle, and households prioritising schools may find Fern Bay the better fit, while investors are more likely to prefer Tomago.
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.