Overall score
Pelican
26.2/100
Swansea Heads
29.4/100
Pelican vs Swansea Heads, NSW suburb comparison
Pelican for schools; Swansea Heads for retirees and beach lifestyle.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Visual comparison
PelicanSwansea Heads
Crime rate
Pelican
56.2 / 1k
Swansea Heads
56.4 / 1k
Nearby amenities
Pelican
26
Swansea Heads
28
Population
Pelican
874
Swansea Heads
609
Metric leadPelican 6Swansea Heads 41 tiedacross 11 compared metrics
Livability profile
Desirability pillars scored 0–100 vs comparable suburbs
Quick verdicts
Clearer edge on lifestyle fit (score gap ≥ 3)
- Best for retireesSwansea Heads
- Best for beach lifestyleSwansea Heads
- Best for investmentSwansea Heads
- Best for best valueSwansea Heads
- Best for best schoolsPelican
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 | Pelican | Swansea Heads |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 26.2/100 | 29.4/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 38.2/100 | 49.3/100 |
| Crime rate | 56.2 / 1k | 56.4 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | 4 | 1 |
| Parks & reserves | 1 | 1 |
| Public transport stops | 25 | 9 |
| Walkability | 30.0/100 | 13.5/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 26 | 28 |
| Planning activity | 3 | 5 |
| Population | 874 | 609 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 4/10 | 9/10 |
Comparison summary
Pelican is a practical metro smaller community with solid links to the wider city, while Swansea Heads is a coastal smaller community shaped by beach life and outdoor living. Swansea Heads leans into coastal living, while Pelican feels more inland and suburban in character.
Pelican pulls ahead on public transport access and walkability, whereas Swansea Heads is the better pick for housing affordability and a quieter safety profile.
On balance, retirees and people chasing a beach lifestyle are more likely to prefer Swansea Heads, while Pelican remains a solid alternative depending on what matters most day to day.