Overall score
Nelly Bay
44.8/100
Pallarenda
32.5/100
Nelly Bay for families and schools; Pallarenda for retirees and beach lifestyle.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Overall score
Nelly Bay
44.8/100
Pallarenda
32.5/100
Crime rate
Nelly Bay
27.6 / 1k
Pallarenda
190.7 / 1k
Nearby amenities
Nelly Bay
139
Pallarenda
48
Population
Nelly Bay
1,213
Pallarenda
778
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 | Nelly Bay | Pallarenda |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 44.8/100 | 32.5/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 14.7/100 | 58.5/100 |
| Crime rate | 27.6 / 1k | 190.7 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | 1 | — |
| Parks & reserves | 2 | 3 |
| Walkability | 72.5/100 | 0.0/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 139 | 48 |
| Population | 1,213 | 778 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 4/10 | 10/10 |
Nelly Bay reads as a regional smaller community with local services and a more relaxed pace; Pallarenda is a coastal smaller community with an easy, sea-led rhythm. Where Pallarenda is shaped by the coast, Nelly Bay offers a more landlocked suburban rhythm.
Nelly Bay pulls ahead on a quieter safety profile and walkability, whereas Pallarenda is the better pick for housing affordability and parks and reserves. On housing, Nelly Bay sits in a well priced band, compared with a expensive feel in Pallarenda.
Families and households prioritising schools may find Nelly Bay the better fit, while retirees and people chasing a beach lifestyle are more likely to prefer Pallarenda.