Overall score
Fingal Bay
33.1/100
Shoal Bay
38.5/100
Fingal Bay vs Shoal Bay, NSW suburb comparison
Shoal Bay for retirees and families.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Visual comparison
Fingal BayShoal Bay
Crime rate
Fingal Bay
70.2 / 1k
Shoal Bay
70.3 / 1k
Nearby amenities
Fingal Bay
56
Shoal Bay
61
Population
Fingal Bay
1,635
Shoal Bay
1,815
Metric leadFingal Bay 3Shoal Bay 52 tiedacross 10 compared metrics
Livability profile
Desirability pillars scored 0–100 vs comparable suburbs
Quick verdicts
Clearer edge on lifestyle fit (score gap ≥ 3)
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 | Fingal Bay | Shoal Bay |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 33.1/100 | 38.5/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 25.2/100 | 25.2/100 |
| Crime rate | 70.2 / 1k | 70.3 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | — | 1 |
| Parks & reserves | 2 | 3 |
| Public transport stops | 40 | 36 |
| Walkability | 30.0/100 | 61.0/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 56 | 61 |
| Planning activity | 15 | 18 |
| Population | 1,635 | 1,815 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 3/10 | 3/10 |
Comparison summary
Fingal Bay is a coastal smaller community shaped by beach life and outdoor living, while Shoal Bay is a coastal smaller community with an easy, sea-led rhythm.
On the data, Fingal Bay is stronger for a quieter safety profile and public transport access; Shoal Bay answers with parks and reserves and walkability.
On balance, retirees and families are more likely to prefer Shoal Bay, while Fingal Bay remains a solid alternative depending on what matters most day to day.