Overall score
Iluka
52.9/100
Ocean Reef
70.8/100
Ocean Reef for families and beach lifestyle.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Overall score
Iluka
52.9/100
Ocean Reef
70.8/100
Crime rate
Iluka
1631.5 / 1k
Ocean Reef
1180.7 / 1k
Nearby amenities
Iluka
39
Ocean Reef
58
Population
Iluka
5,669
Ocean Reef
8,125
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 | Iluka | Ocean Reef |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 52.9/100 | 70.8/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 94.9/100 | 94.9/100 |
| Crime rate | 1631.5 / 1k | 1180.7 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | 5 | 8 |
| Parks & reserves | 2 | 9 |
| Public transport stops | 17 | 41 |
| Walkability | 31.5/100 | 74.0/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 39 | 58 |
| Population | 5,669 | 8,125 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 10/10 | 10/10 |
Put side by side, Iluka is a coastal mid-sized suburb with an easy, sea-led rhythm, and Ocean Reef is a beachside established suburb where the coast sets the tone. Iluka sits firmly coastal, whereas Ocean Reef is near both coast and city.
On the data, Iluka is stronger for an affluent, sought-after address and easy access to the coast; Ocean Reef answers with a quieter safety profile and parks and reserves.
On balance, families and people chasing a beach lifestyle are more likely to prefer Ocean Reef, while Iluka remains a solid alternative depending on what matters most day to day.