Overall score
Harwood
30.6/100
Palmers Island
36.7/100
Harwood vs Palmers Island, NSW suburb comparison
Harwood for families; Palmers Island for retirees and investment.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Visual comparison
HarwoodPalmers Island
Crime rate
Harwood
62.7 / 1k
Palmers Island
52.8 / 1k
Nearby amenities
Harwood
4
Palmers Island
5
Population
Harwood
346
Palmers Island
482
Metric leadHarwood 3Palmers Island 61 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 retireesPalmers Island
- Best for familiesHarwood
- Best for investmentPalmers Island
- Best for best valuePalmers Island
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 | Harwood | Palmers Island |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 30.6/100 | 36.7/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 54.4/100 | 68.6/100 |
| Crime rate | 62.7 / 1k | 52.8 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | 1 | 1 |
| Public transport stops | 21 | 17 |
| Walkability | 30.0/100 | 25.5/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 4 | 5 |
| Planning activity | 3 | 6 |
| Population | 346 | 482 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 1/10 | 6/10 |
Comparison summary
Put side by side, Harwood is a slower-paced smaller community with open surrounds, and Palmers Island is a more rural smaller community that rewards people who want room to breathe.
On the data, Harwood is stronger for public transport access and walkability; Palmers Island answers with housing affordability and a quieter safety profile. On housing, Harwood sits in a affordable band, compared with a expensive feel in Palmers Island.
Families may find Harwood the better fit, while retirees and investors are more likely to prefer Palmers Island.