Overall score
Horseshoe Bay
38.9/100
North Ward
57.1/100
Horseshoe Bay for families; North Ward for beach lifestyle and investment.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Overall score
Horseshoe Bay
38.9/100
North Ward
57.1/100
Crime rate
Horseshoe Bay
28.5 / 1k
North Ward
190.3 / 1k
Nearby amenities
Horseshoe Bay
71
North Ward
729
Population
Horseshoe Bay
611
North Ward
5,073
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 | Horseshoe Bay | North Ward |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 38.9/100 | 57.1/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 10.3/100 | 41.3/100 |
| Crime rate | 28.5 / 1k | 190.3 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | — | 5 |
| Parks & reserves | 2 | 10 |
| Walkability | 52.0/100 | 88.0/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 71 | 729 |
| Population | 611 | 5,073 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 3/10 | 7/10 |
Put side by side, Horseshoe Bay is a regional smaller community with local services and a more relaxed pace, and North Ward is a beachside mid-sized suburb where the coast sets the tone. North Ward leans into coastal living, while Horseshoe Bay feels more inland and suburban in character.
Horseshoe Bay tends to lead on a quieter safety profile, while North Ward stands out for housing affordability and parks and reserves. On housing, Horseshoe Bay sits in a affordable band, compared with a well priced feel in North Ward.
Choose Horseshoe Bay if you are weighing families; lean toward North Ward for people chasing a beach lifestyle and investors.