Overall score
Main Ridge
44.0/100
McCrae
46.7/100
Main Ridge for retirees and families; McCrae for beach lifestyle and investment.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Overall score
Main Ridge
44.0/100
McCrae
46.7/100
Crime rate
Main Ridge
22.6 / 1k
McCrae
64.4 / 1k
Nearby amenities
Main Ridge
0
McCrae
67
Population
Main Ridge
453
McCrae
3,311
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 | Main Ridge | McCrae |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 44.0/100 | 46.7/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 5.9/100 | 34.0/100 |
| Crime rate | 22.6 / 1k | 64.4 / 1k |
| Parks & reserves | 1 | 4 |
| Public transport stops | — | 10 |
| Walkability | 0.0/100 | 46.0/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 0 | 67 |
| Planning activity | 60 | 94 |
| Population | 453 | 3,311 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 10/10 | 7/10 |
Main Ridge reads as a hillside smaller community with greener streets and a quieter pace; McCrae is a coastal mid-sized suburb with an easy, sea-led rhythm. Where McCrae is shaped by the coast, Main Ridge offers a more landlocked suburban rhythm.
Main Ridge pulls ahead on a quieter safety profile and a calmer planning outlook, whereas McCrae is the better pick for housing affordability and parks and reserves.
Main Ridge suits retirees and families more clearly, whereas McCrae is the stronger match for people chasing a beach lifestyle and investors.