Overall score
Mermaid Beach
57.7/100
Mermaid Waters
56.2/100
Mermaid Beach for families and beach lifestyle.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Overall score
Mermaid Beach
57.7/100
Mermaid Waters
56.2/100
Crime rate
Mermaid Beach
77.8 / 1k
Mermaid Waters
77.8 / 1k
Nearby amenities
Mermaid Beach
792
Mermaid Waters
300
Population
Mermaid Beach
7,329
Mermaid Waters
13,088
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 | Mermaid Beach | Mermaid Waters |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 57.7/100 | 56.2/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 33.5/100 | 31.4/100 |
| Crime rate | 77.8 / 1k | 77.8 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | 3 | 2 |
| Parks & reserves | 30 | 61 |
| Public transport stops | 5 | 50 |
| Walkability | 77.5/100 | 80.0/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 792 | 300 |
| Population | 7,329 | 13,088 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 9/10 | 8/10 |
Mermaid Beach is a coastal mid-sized suburb with an easy, sea-led rhythm, while Mermaid Waters is a well-serviced metro established suburb with plenty happening nearby. Mermaid Beach leans into coastal living, while Mermaid Waters feels more inland and suburban in character.
On the data, Mermaid Beach is stronger for housing affordability and nearby cafés and amenities; Mermaid Waters answers with a quieter safety profile and parks and reserves.
Mermaid Beach suits people chasing a beach lifestyle more clearly, whereas Mermaid Waters is the stronger match for households prioritising schools.