Overall score
Marcoola
38.1/100
Twin Waters
54.3/100
Marcoola for families; Twin Waters for retirees and beach lifestyle.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Overall score
Marcoola
38.1/100
Twin Waters
54.3/100
Crime rate
Marcoola
26.9 / 1k
Twin Waters
27.1 / 1k
Nearby amenities
Marcoola
2
Twin Waters
36
Population
Marcoola
3,355
Twin Waters
2,966
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 | Marcoola | Twin Waters |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 38.1/100 | 54.3/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 41.6/100 | 72.2/100 |
| Crime rate | 26.9 / 1k | 27.1 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | — | 1 |
| Parks & reserves | 9 | 2 |
| Public transport stops | 21 | — |
| Walkability | 30.0/100 | 46.0/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 2 | 36 |
| Planning activity | 1 | — |
| Population | 3,355 | 2,966 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 5/10 | 9/10 |
Put side by side, Marcoola is a coastal mid-sized suburb shaped by beach life and outdoor living, and Twin Waters is a beachside mid-sized suburb where the coast sets the tone.
On the data, Marcoola is stronger for parks and reserves and a larger local community; Twin Waters answers with housing affordability and walkability.
On balance, retirees and people chasing a beach lifestyle are more likely to prefer Twin Waters, while Marcoola remains a solid alternative depending on what matters most day to day.