Overall score
Golden Beach
48.1/100
Shelly Beach
48.3/100
Golden Beach vs Shelly Beach, QLD Suburb Comparison
Golden Beach for retirees and families; Shelly Beach for beach lifestyle and investment.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Visual comparison
Golden BeachShelly Beach
Crime rate
Golden Beach
43.5 / 1k
Shelly Beach
43.7 / 1k
Nearby amenities
Golden Beach
84
Shelly Beach
12
Population
Golden Beach
5,646
Shelly Beach
925
Metric leadGolden Beach 7Shelly Beach 22 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 retireesGolden Beach
- Best for familiesGolden Beach
- Best for beach lifestyleShelly Beach
- Best for investmentShelly Beach
- Best for best valueShelly 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 | Shelly Beach |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 48.1/100 | 48.3/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 47.6/100 | 43.4/100 |
| Crime rate | 43.5 / 1k | 43.7 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | 2 | 2 |
| Weather (desirability) | 31.2/100 | 31.2/100 |
| Parks & reserves | 10 | — |
| Public transport stops | 27 | 2 |
| Walkability | 42.0/100 | 3.0/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 84 | 12 |
| Green cover | 12.2% | 11.7% |
| Population | 5,646 | 925 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 4/10 | 9/10 |
Comparison summary
Put side by side, Golden Beach is a well-serviced metro mid-sized suburb with plenty happening nearby, and Shelly Beach is a beachside smaller community where the coast sets the tone. Where Shelly Beach is shaped by the coast, Golden Beach offers a more landlocked suburban rhythm.
On the data, Golden Beach is stronger for public transport access, walkability, and nearby cafés and amenities; Shelly Beach answers with housing affordability, a quieter safety profile, and stronger socioeconomic advantage.
On balance, retirees, people chasing a beach lifestyle, investors, and value-focused buyers are more likely to prefer Shelly Beach, while Golden Beach remains a solid alternative depending on what matters most day to day.
Generated from the official metrics on this page. It can omit nuance or contain errors — check the tables and source notes before relying on it.