Overall score
Malabar
69.3/100
Maroubra
68.5/100
Malabar vs Maroubra, NSW suburb comparison
Malabar for families and investment; Maroubra for beach lifestyle and schools.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Visual comparison
MalabarMaroubra
Crime rate
Malabar
—
Maroubra
72.3 / 1k
Nearby amenities
Malabar
157
Maroubra
409
Population
Malabar
4,714
Maroubra
30,722
Metric leadMalabar 3Maroubra 7across 10 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 | Malabar | Maroubra |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 69.3/100 | 68.5/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 82.5/100 | 37.0/100 |
| Crime rate | — | 72.3 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | 8 | 13 |
| Parks & reserves | 6 | 18 |
| Public transport stops | 69 | 260 |
| Walkability | 82.0/100 | 100.0/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 157 | 409 |
| Planning activity | 19 | 101 |
| Population | 4,714 | 30,722 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 9/10 | 10/10 |
Comparison summary
Malabar reads as a coastal mid-sized suburb shaped by beach life and outdoor living; Maroubra is a coastal larger suburb with an easy, sea-led rhythm.
Malabar tends to lead on housing affordability and overall desirability, while Maroubra stands out for schools and education options and parks and reserves.
Investors and value-focused buyers may find Malabar the better fit, while people chasing a beach lifestyle and households prioritising schools are more likely to prefer Maroubra.