Overall score
Hillman
28.2/100
Shoalwater
45.9/100
Shoalwater for retirees and families.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Overall score
Hillman
28.2/100
Shoalwater
45.9/100
Crime rate
Hillman
3967.7 / 1k
Shoalwater
3331.5 / 1k
Nearby amenities
Hillman
16
Shoalwater
88
Population
Hillman
1,807
Shoalwater
4,368
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 | Hillman | Shoalwater |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 28.2/100 | 45.9/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 35.7/100 | 41.6/100 |
| Crime rate | 3967.7 / 1k | 3331.5 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | 4 | 3 |
| Parks & reserves | — | 4 |
| Public transport stops | 15 | 28 |
| Walkability | 22.5/100 | 57.0/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 16 | 88 |
| Population | 1,807 | 4,368 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 1/10 | 3/10 |
Hillman is a settled metro smaller community that keeps everyday living grounded and accessible, while Shoalwater is a coastal mid-sized suburb with an easy, sea-led rhythm. Where Shoalwater is shaped by the coast, Hillman offers a more landlocked suburban rhythm.
On the data, Hillman is stronger for relatively affordable housing and improving crime trends; Shoalwater answers with housing affordability and a quieter safety profile.
On balance, retirees and families are more likely to prefer Shoalwater, while Hillman remains a solid alternative depending on what matters most day to day.