Overall score
Sandy Bay
59.5/100
West Hobart
59.0/100
Sandy Bay vs West Hobart, TAS suburb comparison
West Hobart for families and investment.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Visual comparison
Sandy BayWest Hobart
Crime rate
Sandy Bay
386.4 / 1k
West Hobart
690.7 / 1k
Nearby amenities
Sandy Bay
357
West Hobart
114
Population
Sandy Bay
12,315
West Hobart
6,525
Metric leadSandy Bay 6West Hobart 31 tiedacross 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 familiesWest Hobart
- Best for investmentWest Hobart
- Best for best valueWest Hobart
- Best for best schoolsWest Hobart
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 | Sandy Bay | West Hobart |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 59.5/100 | 59.0/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 12.0/100 | 28.4/100 |
| Crime rate | 386.4 / 1k | 690.7 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | 7 | 11 |
| Parks & reserves | 11 | 5 |
| Public transport stops | 83 | 26 |
| Walkability | 69.0/100 | 78.0/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 357 | 114 |
| Population | 12,315 | 6,525 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 10/10 | 10/10 |
Comparison summary
Put side by side, Sandy Bay is a leafier hillside established suburb with elevated outlooks, and West Hobart is a hillside mid-sized suburb with greener streets and a quieter pace.
Sandy Bay pulls ahead on a quieter safety profile and schools and education options, whereas West Hobart is the better pick for housing affordability and walkability.
On balance, investors and value-focused buyers are more likely to prefer West Hobart, while Sandy Bay remains a solid alternative depending on what matters most day to day.