Overall score
Garden Island
24.5/100
Hillman
28.2/100
Garden Island for beach lifestyle; Hillman for retirees and families.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Overall score
Garden Island
24.5/100
Hillman
28.2/100
Crime rate
Garden Island
17810.3 / 1k
Hillman
3967.7 / 1k
Nearby amenities
Garden Island
0
Hillman
16
Population
Garden Island
772
Hillman
1,807
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 | Garden Island | Hillman |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 24.5/100 | 28.2/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | — | 35.7/100 |
| Crime rate | 17810.3 / 1k | 3967.7 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | — | 4 |
| Parks & reserves | 1 | — |
| Public transport stops | — | 15 |
| Walkability | 0.0/100 | 22.5/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 0 | 16 |
| Population | 772 | 1,807 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | — | 1/10 |
Put side by side, Garden Island is a beachside smaller community where the coast sets the tone, and Hillman is a settled metro smaller community that keeps everyday living grounded and accessible. Garden Island leans into coastal living, while Hillman feels more inland and suburban in character.
Garden Island pulls ahead on easy access to the coast and improving crime trends, whereas Hillman is the better pick for a quieter safety profile and walkability. On housing, Garden Island sits in a expensive band, compared with a affordable feel in Hillman.
Choose Garden Island if you are weighing people chasing a beach lifestyle; lean toward Hillman for retirees and families.