Overall score
Manly Vale
59.1/100
Seaforth
72.3/100
Seaforth for families and investment.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Overall score
Manly Vale
59.1/100
Seaforth
72.3/100
Crime rate
Manly Vale
24.1 / 1k
Seaforth
21.7 / 1k
Nearby amenities
Manly Vale
187
Seaforth
326
Population
Manly Vale
6,389
Seaforth
7,384
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 Vale | Seaforth |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 59.1/100 | 72.3/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 22.3/100 | 52.2/100 |
| Crime rate | 24.1 / 1k | 21.7 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | 13 | 6 |
| Parks & reserves | 8 | 5 |
| Public transport stops | 68 | 112 |
| Walkability | 86.0/100 | 94.0/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 187 | 326 |
| Planning activity | 10 | 29 |
| Population | 6,389 | 7,384 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 10/10 | 10/10 |
Manly Vale is an energetic metro mid-sized suburb where cafés and local life overlap, while Seaforth is an energetic metro mid-sized suburb where cafés and local life overlap. Manly Vale sits in a middle-ring position, whereas Seaforth is closer to the city centre.
Manly Vale pulls ahead on schools and education options and parks and reserves, whereas Seaforth is the better pick for housing affordability and a quieter safety profile.
On balance, families and investors are more likely to prefer Seaforth, while Manly Vale remains a solid alternative depending on what matters most day to day.