Overall score
North Ward
57.1/100
West End
43.0/100
North Ward for retirees and beach lifestyle; West End for families and schools.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Overall score
North Ward
57.1/100
West End
43.0/100
Crime rate
North Ward
196.9 / 1k
West End
196.9 / 1k
Nearby amenities
North Ward
729
West End
41
Population
North Ward
5,073
West End
3,891
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 | West End |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 57.1/100 | 43.0/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 41.3/100 | 33.9/100 |
| Crime rate | 196.9 / 1k | 196.9 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | 5 | 9 |
| Parks & reserves | 10 | 8 |
| Walkability | 88.0/100 | 14.0/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 729 | 41 |
| Population | 5,073 | 3,891 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 7/10 | 4/10 |
North Ward is a beachside mid-sized suburb where the coast sets the tone, while West End is a regional mid-sized suburb with local services and a more relaxed pace. Where North Ward is shaped by the coast, West End offers a more landlocked suburban rhythm.
North Ward pulls ahead on housing affordability and parks and reserves, whereas West End is the better pick for a quieter safety profile.
On balance, retirees and families are more likely to prefer North Ward, while West End remains a solid alternative depending on what matters most day to day.