Overall score
Karloo
24.2/100
Tarcoola Beach
42.3/100
Tarcoola Beach for retirees and families.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Overall score
Karloo
24.2/100
Tarcoola Beach
42.3/100
Crime rate
Karloo
13857.7 / 1k
Tarcoola Beach
5228.0 / 1k
Nearby amenities
Karloo
2
Tarcoola Beach
9
Population
Karloo
495
Tarcoola Beach
1,360
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 | Karloo | Tarcoola Beach |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 24.2/100 | 42.3/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 10.6/100 | 62.3/100 |
| Crime rate | 13857.7 / 1k | 5228.0 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | 2 | 3 |
| Parks & reserves | 1 | 3 |
| Public transport stops | 5 | 13 |
| Walkability | 7.5/100 | 19.5/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 2 | 9 |
| Population | 495 | 1,360 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 1/10 | 8/10 |
Karloo reads as a quieter smaller community with space and a country-town pace; Tarcoola Beach is a coastal smaller community shaped by beach life and outdoor living. Tarcoola Beach leans into coastal living, while Karloo feels more inland and suburban in character.
Karloo tends to lead on a country-town feel and relatively affordable housing, while Tarcoola Beach stands out for housing affordability and a quieter safety profile. On housing, Karloo sits in a affordable band, compared with a well priced feel in Tarcoola Beach.
On balance, retirees and people chasing a beach lifestyle are more likely to prefer Tarcoola Beach, while Karloo remains a solid alternative depending on what matters most day to day.