Overall score
Golden Beach
41.7/100
Pelican Waters
51.9/100
Golden Beach vs Pelican Waters, QLD suburb comparison
Golden Beach for schools; Pelican Waters for retirees and investment.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Visual comparison
Golden BeachPelican Waters
Crime rate
Golden Beach
27.6 / 1k
Pelican Waters
27.6 / 1k
Nearby amenities
Golden Beach
74
Pelican Waters
123
Population
Golden Beach
5,646
Pelican Waters
7,393
Metric leadGolden Beach 2Pelican Waters 71 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 retireesPelican Waters
- Best for investmentPelican Waters
- Best for best valuePelican Waters
- Best for best schoolsGolden Beach
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 | Golden Beach | Pelican Waters |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 41.7/100 | 51.9/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 2.7/100 | 47.6/100 |
| Crime rate | 27.6 / 1k | 27.6 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | 2 | 1 |
| Parks & reserves | 10 | 13 |
| Public transport stops | 27 | 10 |
| Walkability | 42.0/100 | 44.0/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 74 | 123 |
| Population | 5,646 | 7,393 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 4/10 | 8/10 |
Comparison summary
Golden Beach is a well-serviced metro mid-sized suburb with plenty happening nearby, while Pelican Waters is an energetic metro mid-sized suburb where cafés and local life overlap.
Golden Beach tends to lead on public transport access, while Pelican Waters stands out for housing affordability and parks and reserves.
On balance, retirees and families are more likely to prefer Pelican Waters, while Golden Beach remains a solid alternative depending on what matters most day to day.