Overall score
Holloways Beach
50.6/100
Machans Beach
47.6/100
Holloways Beach vs Machans Beach, QLD Suburb Comparison
Holloways Beach for investment; Machans Beach for retirees and beach lifestyle.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Visual comparison
Holloways BeachMachans Beach
Crime rate
Holloways Beach
83.1 / 1k
Machans Beach
82.6 / 1k
Nearby amenities
Holloways Beach
344
Machans Beach
60
Population
Holloways Beach
2,398
Machans Beach
943
Metric leadHolloways Beach 7Machans 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 retireesMachans Beach
- Best for beach lifestyleMachans Beach
- Best for investmentHolloways 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 | Holloways Beach | Machans Beach |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 50.6/100 | 47.6/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 68.7/100 | 52.0/100 |
| Crime rate | 83.1 / 1k | 82.6 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | 1 | 1 |
| Weather (desirability) | 11.8/100 | 11.8/100 |
| Parks & reserves | 9 | 4 |
| Walkability | 47.5/100 | 8.5/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 344 | 60 |
| Green cover | 26.0% | 13.5% |
| Population | 2,398 | 943 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 3/10 | 5/10 |
Comparison summary
Holloways Beach is a regional smaller community with local services and a more relaxed pace, while Machans Beach is a beachside smaller community where the coast sets the tone. Machans Beach leans into coastal living, while Holloways Beach feels more inland and suburban in character.
On the data, Holloways Beach is stronger for a quieter safety profile, parks and reserves, and walkability; Machans Beach answers with housing affordability and stronger socioeconomic advantage. Holloways Beach generally means more approachable housing costs, while Machans Beach leans toward more sought-after housing.
On balance, retirees, people chasing a beach lifestyle, and investors are more likely to prefer Machans Beach, while Holloways 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.