Overall score
Scarborough
65.9/100
Woodlands
50.9/100
Scarborough for beach lifestyle and investment; Woodlands for families and schools.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Overall score
Scarborough
65.9/100
Woodlands
50.9/100
Crime rate
Scarborough
578.7 / 1k
Woodlands
2353.2 / 1k
Nearby amenities
Scarborough
213
Woodlands
29
Population
Scarborough
17,605
Woodlands
4,551
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 | Scarborough | Woodlands |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 65.9/100 | 50.9/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 55.3/100 | 37.1/100 |
| Crime rate | 578.7 / 1k | 2353.2 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | 7 | 9 |
| Parks & reserves | 6 | 3 |
| Public transport stops | 68 | 18 |
| Walkability | 85.0/100 | 60.0/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 213 | 29 |
| Planning activity | 1 | — |
| Population | 17,605 | 4,551 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 10/10 | 10/10 |
Scarborough is a coastal established suburb with an easy, sea-led rhythm, while Woodlands is a well-connected metro mid-sized suburb with a familiar suburban feel. Where Scarborough is shaped by the coast, Woodlands offers a more landlocked suburban rhythm.
On the data, Scarborough is stronger for housing affordability and a quieter safety profile; Woodlands answers with an affluent, sought-after address and improving crime trends.
Retirees and people chasing a beach lifestyle may find Scarborough the better fit, while households prioritising schools are more likely to prefer Woodlands.