Overall score
Kiama
69.7/100
Wollongong
69.5/100
Kiama vs Wollongong, NSW suburb comparison
Kiama for retirees and families; Wollongong for beach lifestyle and investment.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Visual comparison
KiamaWollongong
Crime rate
Kiama
34.7 / 1k
Wollongong
154.3 / 1k
Nearby amenities
Kiama
530
Wollongong
657
Population
Kiama
7,904
Wollongong
20,446
Metric leadKiama 3Wollongong 62 tiedacross 11 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 beach lifestyleWollongong
- Best for investmentWollongong
- Best for best schoolsWollongong
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 | Wollongong |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 69.7/100 | 69.5/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 36.8/100 | 42.4/100 |
| Crime rate | 34.7 / 1k | 154.3 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | 3 | 9 |
| Parks & reserves | 13 | 13 |
| Public transport stops | 114 | 192 |
| Walkability | 100.0/100 | 100.0/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 530 | 657 |
| Planning activity | 66 | 65 |
| Population | 7,904 | 20,446 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 9/10 | 8/10 |
Comparison summary
Kiama is a coastal mid-sized suburb with an easy, sea-led rhythm, while Wollongong is a beachside established suburb where the coast sets the tone. Kiama sits on a more distant stretch of coast, whereas Wollongong is firmly coastal.
Kiama tends to lead on a quieter safety profile and overall desirability, while Wollongong stands out for housing affordability and schools and education options.
Choose Kiama if you are weighing retirees and families; lean toward Wollongong for people chasing a beach lifestyle and investors.