Overall score
Machans Beach
41.4/100
Stratford
54.2/100
Machans Beach vs Stratford, QLD suburb comparison
Machans Beach for beach lifestyle; Stratford for retirees and families.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Visual comparison
Machans BeachStratford
Crime rate
Machans Beach
49.4 / 1k
Stratford
146.0 / 1k
Nearby amenities
Machans Beach
36
Stratford
47
Population
Machans Beach
943
Stratford
1,198
Metric leadMachans Beach 2Stratford 61 tiedacross 9 compared metrics
Livability profile
Desirability pillars scored 0–100 vs comparable suburbs
Quick verdicts
Clearer edge on lifestyle fit (score gap ≥ 3)
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 | Machans Beach | Stratford |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 41.4/100 | 54.2/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 56.2/100 | 80.3/100 |
| Crime rate | 49.4 / 1k | 146.0 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | 1 | 1 |
| Parks & reserves | 4 | 2 |
| Walkability | 8.5/100 | 66.5/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 36 | 47 |
| Population | 943 | 1,198 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 5/10 | 9/10 |
Comparison summary
Put side by side, Machans Beach is a beachside smaller community where the coast sets the tone, and Stratford is a regional smaller community with local services and a more relaxed pace. Machans Beach leans into coastal living, while Stratford feels more inland and suburban in character.
Machans Beach tends to lead on a quieter safety profile and parks and reserves, while Stratford stands out for housing affordability and walkability.
Choose Machans Beach if you are weighing families and people chasing a beach lifestyle; lean toward Stratford for retirees and investors.