Overall score
Mona Vale
74.8/100
North Narrabeen
62.7/100
Mona Vale for retirees and families.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Overall score
Mona Vale
74.8/100
North Narrabeen
62.7/100
Crime rate
Mona Vale
27.8 / 1k
North Narrabeen
49.6 / 1k
Nearby amenities
Mona Vale
619
North Narrabeen
209
Population
Mona Vale
10,877
North Narrabeen
6,016
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 | Mona Vale | North Narrabeen |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 74.8/100 | 62.7/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 45.4/100 | 46.7/100 |
| Crime rate | 27.8 / 1k | 49.6 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | 5 | 5 |
| Parks & reserves | 20 | 10 |
| Public transport stops | 137 | 75 |
| Walkability | 100.0/100 | 54.0/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 619 | 209 |
| Planning activity | 55 | 30 |
| Population | 10,877 | 6,016 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 10/10 | 10/10 |
Put side by side, Mona Vale is a beachside established suburb where the coast sets the tone, and North Narrabeen is a coastal mid-sized suburb shaped by beach life and outdoor living.
Mona Vale tends to lead on a quieter safety profile and schools and education options, while North Narrabeen stands out for housing affordability and a calmer planning outlook.
On balance, retirees and families are more likely to prefer Mona Vale, while North Narrabeen remains a solid alternative depending on what matters most day to day.