Overall score
North Ward
57.1/100
Railway Estate
39.4/100
North Ward for families and beach lifestyle.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Overall score
North Ward
57.1/100
Railway Estate
39.4/100
Crime rate
North Ward
190.3 / 1k
Railway Estate
190.5 / 1k
Nearby amenities
North Ward
729
Railway Estate
56
Population
North Ward
5,073
Railway Estate
2,871
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 Ward | Railway Estate |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 57.1/100 | 39.4/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 41.3/100 | 38.5/100 |
| Crime rate | 190.3 / 1k | 190.5 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | 5 | 5 |
| Parks & reserves | 10 | 5 |
| Walkability | 88.0/100 | 5.0/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 729 | 56 |
| Population | 5,073 | 2,871 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 7/10 | 5/10 |
Put side by side, North Ward is a beachside mid-sized suburb where the coast sets the tone, and Railway Estate is a regional mid-sized suburb with local services and a more relaxed pace. Where North Ward is shaped by the coast, Railway Estate offers a more landlocked suburban rhythm.
On the data, North Ward is stronger for housing affordability and schools and education options; Railway Estate answers with a quieter safety profile.
On balance, families and people chasing a beach lifestyle are more likely to prefer North Ward, while Railway Estate remains a solid alternative depending on what matters most day to day.