Overall score
Newcastle
60.9/100
Wollongong
55.3/100
Newcastle vs Wollongong, NSW Suburb Comparison
Newcastle for retirees and families; Wollongong for investment and value.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Visual comparison
NewcastleWollongong
Crime rate
Newcastle
217.8 / 1k
Wollongong
154.3 / 1k
Nearby amenities
Newcastle
685
Wollongong
689
Population
Newcastle
3,852
Wollongong
20,446
Metric leadNewcastle 4Wollongong 81 tiedacross 13 compared metrics
Livability profile
Desirability pillars scored 0–100 vs comparable suburbs
Quick verdicts
Clearer edge on lifestyle fit (score gap ≥ 3)
- Best for retireesNewcastle
- Best for familiesNewcastle
- Best for beach lifestyleNewcastle
- Best for investmentWollongong
- Best for best valueWollongong
- Best for best schoolsNewcastle
Audience fit
Who each suburb suits — composite scores out of 100
All metrics
Side-by-side scores for every compared metric.
Full comparison table
Exact figures for every metric — winner highlighted in bold.
| Category | Newcastle | Wollongong |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 60.9/100 | 55.3/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 53.5/100 | 65.4/100 |
| Crime rate | 217.8 / 1k | 154.3 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | 6 | 9 |
| Weather (desirability) | 60.5/100 | 82.3/100 |
| Parks & reserves | 8 | 13 |
| Public transport stops | 56 | 192 |
| Walkability | 100.0/100 | 100.0/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 685 | 689 |
| Planning activity | 31 | 74 |
| Green cover | 18.8% | 6.5% |
| Population | 3,852 | 20,446 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 10/10 | 8/10 |
Comparison summary
Newcastle reads as a coastal mid-sized suburb with an easy, sea-led rhythm; Wollongong is a beachside established suburb where the coast sets the tone. Newcastle sits on a more distant stretch of coast, whereas Wollongong is firmly coastal.
Newcastle pulls ahead on a calmer planning outlook and stronger socioeconomic advantage, whereas Wollongong is the better pick for housing affordability, a quieter safety profile, and schools and education options.
Choose Newcastle if you are weighing retirees and households prioritising schools; lean toward Wollongong for people chasing a beach lifestyle, investors, and value-focused buyers.
Generated from the official metrics on this page. It can omit nuance or contain errors — check the tables and source notes before relying on it.