Overall score
Garden Island
24.5/100
Rockingham
64.2/100
Garden Island vs Rockingham, WA suburb comparison
Rockingham for retirees and families.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Visual comparison
Garden IslandRockingham
Crime rate
Garden Island
17810.3 / 1k
Rockingham
877.4 / 1k
Nearby amenities
Garden Island
0
Rockingham
225
Population
Garden Island
772
Rockingham
15,312
Metric leadGarden Island 0Rockingham 6across 6 compared metrics
Livability profile
Desirability pillars scored 0–100 vs comparable suburbs
Quick verdicts
Clearer edge on lifestyle fit (score gap ≥ 3)
- Best for retireesRockingham
- Best for familiesRockingham
- Best for beach lifestyleRockingham
- Best for investmentRockingham
- Best for best valueRockingham
- Best for best schoolsRockingham
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 | Garden Island | Rockingham |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 24.5/100 | 64.2/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | — | 52.4/100 |
| Crime rate | 17810.3 / 1k | 877.4 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | — | 9 |
| Parks & reserves | 1 | 18 |
| Public transport stops | — | 138 |
| Walkability | 0.0/100 | 100.0/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 0 | 225 |
| Population | 772 | 15,312 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | — | 2/10 |
Comparison summary
Garden Island reads as a beachside smaller community where the coast sets the tone; Rockingham is a beachside established suburb where the coast sets the tone. Garden Island sits among greener hillside streets, while Rockingham keeps a flatter suburban layout.
Garden Island pulls ahead on easy access to the coast and improving crime trends, whereas Rockingham is the better pick for a quieter safety profile and parks and reserves. On housing, Garden Island sits in a expensive band, compared with a affordable feel in Rockingham.
On balance, retirees and families are more likely to prefer Rockingham, while Garden Island remains a solid alternative depending on what matters most day to day.