Overall score
Machans Beach
41.4/100
Whitfield
45.1/100
Machans Beach vs Whitfield, QLD suburb comparison
Machans Beach for beach lifestyle; Whitfield for families and investment.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Visual comparison
Machans BeachWhitfield
Crime rate
Machans Beach
49.4 / 1k
Whitfield
145.9 / 1k
Nearby amenities
Machans Beach
36
Whitfield
47
Population
Machans Beach
943
Whitfield
4,262
Metric leadMachans Beach 1Whitfield 8across 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 familiesWhitfield
- Best for beach lifestyleMachans Beach
- Best for investmentWhitfield
- Best for best valueWhitfield
- Best for best schoolsWhitfield
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 | Whitfield |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 41.4/100 | 45.1/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 56.2/100 | 76.6/100 |
| Crime rate | 49.4 / 1k | 145.9 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | 1 | 2 |
| Parks & reserves | 4 | 8 |
| Walkability | 8.5/100 | 13.5/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 36 | 47 |
| Population | 943 | 4,262 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 5/10 | 7/10 |
Comparison summary
Machans Beach reads as a beachside smaller community where the coast sets the tone; Whitfield is a regional mid-sized suburb that feels self-contained without feeling remote. Where Machans Beach is shaped by the coast, Whitfield offers a more landlocked suburban rhythm.
On the data, Machans Beach is stronger for a quieter safety profile and overall desirability; Whitfield answers with housing affordability and parks and reserves.
Choose Machans Beach if you are weighing families and people chasing a beach lifestyle; lean toward Whitfield for investors and value-focused buyers.