Overall score
North Willoughby
60.7/100
Northbridge
64.4/100
North Willoughby for retirees and families; Northbridge for value and schools.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Overall score
North Willoughby
60.7/100
Northbridge
64.4/100
Crime rate
North Willoughby
13.5 / 1k
Northbridge
16.5 / 1k
Nearby amenities
North Willoughby
93
Northbridge
257
Population
North Willoughby
4,161
Northbridge
6,493
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 Willoughby | Northbridge |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 60.7/100 | 64.4/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 19.5/100 | 36.1/100 |
| Crime rate | 13.5 / 1k | 16.5 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | 9 | 8 |
| Parks & reserves | 3 | 5 |
| Public transport stops | 39 | 77 |
| Walkability | 75.0/100 | 77.0/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 93 | 257 |
| Planning activity | 17 | 34 |
| Population | 4,161 | 6,493 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 10/10 | 10/10 |
Put side by side, North Willoughby is a well-serviced metro mid-sized suburb with plenty happening nearby, and Northbridge is a hillside mid-sized suburb with greener streets and a quieter pace. Northbridge sits among greener hillside streets, while North Willoughby keeps a flatter suburban layout.
North Willoughby tends to lead on a quieter safety profile and schools and education options, while Northbridge stands out for housing affordability and parks and reserves.
Choose North Willoughby if you are weighing retirees and families; lean toward Northbridge for value-focused buyers and households prioritising schools.