Overall score
Freshwater
71.0/100
Manly
71.3/100
Freshwater vs Manly, NSW suburb comparison
Freshwater for retirees and families; Manly for beach lifestyle and schools.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Visual comparison
FreshwaterManly
Crime rate
Freshwater
20.8 / 1k
Manly
76.2 / 1k
Nearby amenities
Freshwater
228
Manly
782
Population
Freshwater
9,186
Manly
16,296
Metric leadFreshwater 4Manly 52 tiedacross 11 compared metrics
Livability profile
Desirability pillars scored 0–100 vs comparable suburbs
Quick verdicts
Clearer edge on lifestyle fit (score gap ≥ 3)
- Best for retireesFreshwater
- Best for familiesFreshwater
- Best for beach lifestyleManly
- Best for investmentFreshwater
- Best for best valueFreshwater
- Best for best schoolsManly
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 | Freshwater | Manly |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 71.0/100 | 71.3/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 38.1/100 | 21.8/100 |
| Crime rate | 20.8 / 1k | 76.2 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | 10 | 4 |
| Parks & reserves | 7 | 12 |
| Public transport stops | 102 | 128 |
| Walkability | 100.0/100 | 100.0/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 228 | 782 |
| Planning activity | 36 | 71 |
| Population | 9,186 | 16,296 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 10/10 | 10/10 |
Comparison summary
Freshwater reads as a coastal established suburb with an easy, sea-led rhythm; Manly is a beachside established suburb where the coast sets the tone.
Freshwater tends to lead on housing affordability and a quieter safety profile, while Manly stands out for schools and education options and parks and reserves.
Retirees and investors may find Freshwater the better fit, while people chasing a beach lifestyle and households prioritising schools are more likely to prefer Manly.