Overall score
Manly
71.3/100
St Kilda
71.8/100
Manly for retirees and families; St Kilda for beach lifestyle and investment.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Overall score
Manly
71.3/100
St Kilda
71.8/100
Crime rate
Manly
76.2 / 1k
St Kilda
175.7 / 1k
Nearby amenities
Manly
782
St Kilda
526
Population
Manly
16,296
St Kilda
19,490
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 | Manly | St Kilda |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 71.3/100 | 71.8/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 21.8/100 | 22.9/100 |
| Crime rate | 76.2 / 1k | 175.7 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | 4 | 13 |
| Parks & reserves | 12 | 14 |
| Public transport stops | 128 | 96 |
| Walkability | 100.0/100 | 100.0/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 782 | 526 |
| Planning activity | 71 | 217 |
| Population | 16,296 | 19,490 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 10/10 | 10/10 |
Across states, Manly is a beachside established suburb where the coast sets the tone, whereas St Kilda is a coastal established suburb shaped by beach life and outdoor living.
Manly tends to lead on a quieter safety profile and public transport access, while St Kilda stands out for housing affordability and schools and education options.
Retirees and families may find Manly the better fit, while people chasing a beach lifestyle and investors are more likely to prefer St Kilda.