Overall score
Hawks Nest
32.3/100
Tea Gardens
36.7/100
Hawks Nest for retirees and families; Tea Gardens for investment and value.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Overall score
Hawks Nest
32.3/100
Tea Gardens
36.7/100
Crime rate
Hawks Nest
—
Tea Gardens
105.8 / 1k
Nearby amenities
Hawks Nest
0
Tea Gardens
0
Population
Hawks Nest
1,413
Tea Gardens
3,288
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 | Hawks Nest | Tea Gardens |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 32.3/100 | 36.7/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 10.6/100 | 62.8/100 |
| Crime rate | — | 105.8 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | — | 1 |
| Parks & reserves | 4 | 5 |
| Public transport stops | 33 | 37 |
| Walkability | 30.0/100 | 30.0/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 0 | 0 |
| Planning activity | 16 | 22 |
| Population | 1,413 | 3,288 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 4/10 | 3/10 |
Put side by side, Hawks Nest is a beachside smaller community where the coast sets the tone, and Tea Gardens is a beachside mid-sized suburb where the coast sets the tone.
Hawks Nest tends to lead on a calmer planning outlook and stronger socioeconomic advantage, while Tea Gardens stands out for housing affordability and parks and reserves. On housing, Hawks Nest sits in a well priced band, compared with a affordable feel in Tea Gardens.
Hawks Nest suits retirees and families more clearly, whereas Tea Gardens is the stronger match for investors and value-focused buyers.