Overall score
North Narrabeen
62.7/100
Wheeler Heights
54.7/100
North Narrabeen for beach lifestyle and value; Wheeler Heights for retirees and families.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Overall score
North Narrabeen
62.7/100
Wheeler Heights
54.7/100
Crime rate
North Narrabeen
49.6 / 1k
Wheeler Heights
16.6 / 1k
Nearby amenities
North Narrabeen
209
Wheeler Heights
42
Population
North Narrabeen
6,016
Wheeler Heights
3,232
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 Narrabeen | Wheeler Heights |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 62.7/100 | 54.7/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 46.7/100 | 36.6/100 |
| Crime rate | 49.6 / 1k | 16.6 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | 5 | 7 |
| Parks & reserves | 10 | 2 |
| Public transport stops | 75 | 27 |
| Walkability | 54.0/100 | 47.0/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 209 | 42 |
| Planning activity | 29 | 7 |
| Population | 6,016 | 3,232 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 10/10 | 10/10 |
Put side by side, North Narrabeen is a coastal mid-sized suburb shaped by beach life and outdoor living, and Wheeler Heights is a leafier hillside mid-sized suburb with elevated outlooks. North Narrabeen leans into coastal living, while Wheeler Heights feels more inland and suburban in character.
On the data, North Narrabeen is stronger for housing affordability and parks and reserves; Wheeler Heights answers with a quieter safety profile and a calmer planning outlook.
Choose North Narrabeen if you are weighing people chasing a beach lifestyle and value-focused buyers; lean toward Wheeler Heights for retirees and families.