Overall score
Forest Lake
72.9/100
Heathwood
53.0/100
Forest Lake vs Heathwood, QLD suburb comparison
Forest Lake for families and value; Heathwood for retirees.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Visual comparison
Forest LakeHeathwood
Crime rate
Forest Lake
28.7 / 1k
Heathwood
59.0 / 1k
Nearby amenities
Forest Lake
257
Heathwood
59
Population
Forest Lake
22,676
Heathwood
4,944
Metric leadForest Lake 8Heathwood 11 tiedacross 10 compared metrics
Livability profile
Desirability pillars scored 0–100 vs comparable suburbs
Quick verdicts
Clearer edge on lifestyle fit (score gap ≥ 3)
- Best for retireesHeathwood
- Best for familiesForest Lake
- Best for best valueForest Lake
- Best for best schoolsForest Lake
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 | Forest Lake | Heathwood |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 72.9/100 | 53.0/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 76.0/100 | 76.0/100 |
| Crime rate | 28.7 / 1k | 59.0 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | 4 | 1 |
| Parks & reserves | 14 | 3 |
| Public transport stops | 43 | 14 |
| Walkability | 92.0/100 | 29.0/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 257 | 59 |
| Population | 22,676 | 4,944 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 6/10 | 9/10 |
Comparison summary
Put side by side, Forest Lake is a lively metro established suburb with dining and everyday convenience close by, and Heathwood is an energetic metro mid-sized suburb where cafés and local life overlap.
On the data, Forest Lake is stronger for a quieter safety profile and parks and reserves; Heathwood answers with stronger socioeconomic advantage.
Families and value-focused buyers may find Forest Lake the better fit, while retirees are more likely to prefer Heathwood.