Overall score
James Creek
34.5/100
Palmers Island
36.7/100
James Creek vs Palmers Island, NSW suburb comparison
James Creek for families and value; Palmers Island for investment and schools.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Visual comparison
James CreekPalmers Island
Crime rate
James Creek
51.5 / 1k
Palmers Island
52.8 / 1k
Nearby amenities
James Creek
0
Palmers Island
5
Population
James Creek
257
Palmers Island
482
Metric leadJames Creek 3Palmers Island 6across 9 compared metrics
Livability profile
Desirability pillars scored 0–100 vs comparable suburbs
Quick verdicts
Clearer edge on lifestyle fit (score gap ≥ 3)
- Best for familiesJames Creek
- Best for investmentPalmers Island
- Best for best valueJames Creek
- Best for best schoolsPalmers Island
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 | James Creek | Palmers Island |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 34.5/100 | 36.7/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 82.6/100 | 68.6/100 |
| Crime rate | 51.5 / 1k | 52.8 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | — | 1 |
| Public transport stops | 2 | 17 |
| Walkability | 3.0/100 | 25.5/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 0 | 5 |
| Planning activity | 11 | 6 |
| Population | 257 | 482 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 8/10 | 6/10 |
Comparison summary
Put side by side, James Creek is a more rural smaller community that rewards people who want room to breathe, and Palmers Island is a more rural smaller community that rewards people who want room to breathe.
James Creek tends to lead on housing affordability and a quieter safety profile, while Palmers Island stands out for public transport access and walkability.
Families and value-focused buyers may find James Creek the better fit, while investors and households prioritising schools are more likely to prefer Palmers Island.