Overall score
Madora Bay
44.3/100
Parklands
19.2/100
Madora Bay for retirees and families.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Overall score
Madora Bay
44.3/100
Parklands
19.2/100
Crime rate
Madora Bay
3302.6 / 1k
Parklands
20942.3 / 1k
Nearby amenities
Madora Bay
24
Parklands
40
Population
Madora Bay
3,830
Parklands
603
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 | Madora Bay | Parklands |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 44.3/100 | 19.2/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 54.9/100 | 9.0/100 |
| Crime rate | 3302.6 / 1k | 20942.3 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | 6 | 2 |
| Parks & reserves | 3 | 1 |
| Public transport stops | 21 | — |
| Walkability | 30.0/100 | 0.0/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 24 | 40 |
| Population | 3,830 | 603 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 8/10 | 6/10 |
Put side by side, Madora Bay is a coastal mid-sized suburb with an easy, sea-led rhythm, and Parklands is a well-connected metro smaller community with a familiar suburban feel. Madora Bay leans into coastal living, while Parklands feels more inland and suburban in character.
Madora Bay tends to lead on housing affordability and a quieter safety profile, while Parklands stands out for nearby cafés and amenities.
On balance, retirees and families are more likely to prefer Madora Bay, while Parklands remains a solid alternative depending on what matters most day to day.