Overall score
North Haven
45.2/100
Port Macquarie
57.6/100
Port Macquarie for retirees and families.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Overall score
North Haven
45.2/100
Port Macquarie
57.6/100
Crime rate
North Haven
40.2 / 1k
Port Macquarie
86.7 / 1k
Nearby amenities
North Haven
88
Port Macquarie
139
Population
North Haven
1,619
Port Macquarie
47,693
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 Haven | Port Macquarie |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 45.2/100 | 57.6/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 50.4/100 | 60.2/100 |
| Crime rate | 40.2 / 1k | 86.7 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | 1 | 6 |
| Parks & reserves | 6 | 37 |
| Public transport stops | 30 | 653 |
| Walkability | 59.0/100 | 53.0/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 88 | 139 |
| Planning activity | 14 | 238 |
| Population | 1,619 | 47,693 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 1/10 | 4/10 |
North Haven is a regional smaller community with local services and a more relaxed pace, while Port Macquarie is a regional larger suburb with local services and a more relaxed pace.
North Haven tends to lead on a quieter safety profile and walkability, while Port Macquarie stands out for housing affordability and schools and education options. North Haven generally means more approachable housing costs, while Port Macquarie leans toward more sought-after housing.
On balance, families and investors are more likely to prefer Port Macquarie, while North Haven remains a solid alternative depending on what matters most day to day.