Overall score
North Ward
57.1/100
Picnic Bay
32.4/100
North Ward vs Picnic Bay, QLD suburb comparison
North Ward for beach lifestyle and investment; Picnic Bay for families.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Visual comparison
North WardPicnic Bay
Crime rate
North Ward
190.3 / 1k
Picnic Bay
28.5 / 1k
Nearby amenities
North Ward
729
Picnic Bay
45
Population
North Ward
5,073
Picnic Bay
367
Metric leadNorth Ward 6Picnic Bay 1across 7 compared metrics
Livability profile
Desirability pillars scored 0–100 vs comparable suburbs
Quick verdicts
Clearer edge on lifestyle fit (score gap ≥ 3)
- Best for familiesPicnic Bay
- Best for beach lifestyleNorth Ward
- Best for investmentNorth Ward
- Best for best valueNorth Ward
- Best for best schoolsNorth Ward
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 | North Ward | Picnic Bay |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 57.1/100 | 32.4/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 41.3/100 | 7.2/100 |
| Crime rate | 190.3 / 1k | 28.5 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | 5 | — |
| Parks & reserves | 10 | — |
| Walkability | 88.0/100 | 16.0/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 729 | 45 |
| Population | 5,073 | 367 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 7/10 | 3/10 |
Comparison summary
North Ward is a beachside mid-sized suburb where the coast sets the tone, while Picnic Bay is a regional smaller community that feels self-contained without feeling remote. Where North Ward is shaped by the coast, Picnic Bay offers a more landlocked suburban rhythm.
North Ward tends to lead on housing affordability and walkability, while Picnic Bay stands out for a quieter safety profile. On housing, North Ward sits in a well priced band, compared with a affordable feel in Picnic Bay.
North Ward suits people chasing a beach lifestyle and investors more clearly, whereas Picnic Bay is the stronger match for families.