Overall score
Sandy Beach
34.9/100
Woolgoolga
41.6/100
Sandy Beach vs Woolgoolga, NSW suburb comparison
Sandy Beach for retirees and investment; Woolgoolga for families and schools.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Visual comparison
Sandy BeachWoolgoolga
Crime rate
Sandy Beach
64.6 / 1k
Woolgoolga
64.6 / 1k
Nearby amenities
Sandy Beach
10
Woolgoolga
3
Population
Sandy Beach
2,913
Woolgoolga
6,151
Metric leadSandy Beach 4Woolgoolga 52 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 retireesSandy Beach
- Best for familiesWoolgoolga
- Best for investmentSandy Beach
- Best for best schoolsWoolgoolga
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 Beach | Woolgoolga |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 34.9/100 | 41.6/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 67.3/100 | 58.5/100 |
| Crime rate | 64.6 / 1k | 64.6 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | 1 | 3 |
| Parks & reserves | 1 | 7 |
| Public transport stops | 67 | 168 |
| Walkability | 30.0/100 | 30.0/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 10 | 3 |
| Planning activity | 14 | 59 |
| Population | 2,913 | 6,151 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 4/10 | 3/10 |
Comparison summary
Sandy Beach is a quieter mid-sized suburb with space and a country-town pace, while Woolgoolga is a quieter mid-sized suburb with space and a country-town pace.
Sandy Beach pulls ahead on housing affordability and nearby cafés and amenities, whereas Woolgoolga is the better pick for schools and education options and parks and reserves. On housing, Sandy Beach sits in a expensive band, compared with a affordable feel in Woolgoolga.
Retirees and investors may find Sandy Beach the better fit, while families and households prioritising schools are more likely to prefer Woolgoolga.