Overall score
Rockingham
64.2/100
Shoalwater
45.9/100
Rockingham vs Shoalwater, WA suburb comparison
Rockingham for families and beach lifestyle; Shoalwater for retirees.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Visual comparison
RockinghamShoalwater
Crime rate
Rockingham
877.4 / 1k
Shoalwater
3331.5 / 1k
Nearby amenities
Rockingham
225
Shoalwater
88
Population
Rockingham
15,312
Shoalwater
4,368
Metric leadRockingham 9Shoalwater 1across 10 compared metrics
Livability profile
Desirability pillars scored 0–100 vs comparable suburbs
Quick verdicts
Clearer edge on lifestyle fit (score gap ≥ 3)
- Best for retireesShoalwater
- Best for familiesRockingham
- Best for beach lifestyleRockingham
- Best for investmentRockingham
- Best for best valueRockingham
- Best for best schoolsRockingham
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 | Rockingham | Shoalwater |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 64.2/100 | 45.9/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 52.4/100 | 41.6/100 |
| Crime rate | 877.4 / 1k | 3331.5 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | 9 | 3 |
| Parks & reserves | 18 | 4 |
| Public transport stops | 138 | 28 |
| Walkability | 100.0/100 | 57.0/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 225 | 88 |
| Population | 15,312 | 4,368 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 2/10 | 3/10 |
Comparison summary
Put side by side, Rockingham is a beachside established suburb where the coast sets the tone, and Shoalwater is a coastal mid-sized suburb with an easy, sea-led rhythm.
Rockingham tends to lead on housing affordability and a quieter safety profile, while Shoalwater stands out for stronger socioeconomic advantage.
Families and people chasing a beach lifestyle may find Rockingham the better fit, while retirees and households prioritising schools are more likely to prefer Shoalwater.