Overall score
Kiama
72.1/100
Shellharbour
54.6/100
Kiama vs Shellharbour, NSW Suburb Comparison
Kiama for retirees and families; Shellharbour for value.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Visual comparison
KiamaShellharbour
Crime rate
Kiama
34.7 / 1k
Shellharbour
73.8 / 1k
Nearby amenities
Kiama
540
Shellharbour
187
Population
Kiama
7,904
Shellharbour
3,520
Metric leadKiama 9Shellharbour 31 tiedacross 13 compared metrics
Livability profile
Desirability pillars scored 0–100 vs comparable suburbs
Quick verdicts
Clearer edge on lifestyle fit (score gap ≥ 3)
- Best for retireesKiama
- Best for familiesKiama
- Best for investmentKiama
- Best for best valueShellharbour
- Best for best schoolsKiama
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 | Kiama | Shellharbour |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 72.1/100 | 54.6/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 59.9/100 | 56.7/100 |
| Crime rate | 34.7 / 1k | 73.8 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | 3 | 4 |
| Weather (desirability) | 82.3/100 | 82.3/100 |
| Parks & reserves | 13 | 10 |
| Public transport stops | 114 | 58 |
| Walkability | 100.0/100 | 75.0/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 540 | 187 |
| Planning activity | 75 | 16 |
| Green cover | 8.2% | 14.6% |
| Population | 7,904 | 3,520 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 9/10 | 6/10 |
Comparison summary
Kiama reads as a coastal mid-sized suburb with an easy, sea-led rhythm; Shellharbour is a coastal mid-sized suburb shaped by beach life and outdoor living.
On the data, Kiama is stronger for a quieter safety profile, parks and reserves, and public transport access; Shellharbour answers with housing affordability, schools and education options, and a calmer planning outlook.
Kiama suits retirees, families, people chasing a beach lifestyle, and households prioritising schools more clearly, whereas Shellharbour is the stronger match for investors and value-focused buyers.
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.