Overall score
North Beach
57.5/100
Scarborough
65.9/100
North Beach for families and investment; Scarborough for beach lifestyle.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Overall score
North Beach
57.5/100
Scarborough
65.9/100
Crime rate
North Beach
2905.9 / 1k
Scarborough
578.7 / 1k
Nearby amenities
North Beach
62
Scarborough
213
Population
North Beach
3,689
Scarborough
17,605
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 | North Beach | Scarborough |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 57.5/100 | 65.9/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 70.7/100 | 55.3/100 |
| Crime rate | 2905.9 / 1k | 578.7 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | 7 | 7 |
| Parks & reserves | 2 | 6 |
| Public transport stops | 27 | 68 |
| Walkability | 34.0/100 | 85.0/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 62 | 213 |
| Planning activity | — | 1 |
| Population | 3,689 | 17,605 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 10/10 | 10/10 |
Put side by side, North Beach is a coastal mid-sized suburb shaped by beach life and outdoor living, and Scarborough is a coastal established suburb with an easy, sea-led rhythm.
On the data, North Beach is stronger for housing affordability; Scarborough answers with a quieter safety profile and parks and reserves.
Families and investors may find North Beach the better fit, while people chasing a beach lifestyle are more likely to prefer Scarborough.