Overall score
Shellharbour
54.6/100
Wollongong
55.3/100
Shellharbour vs Wollongong, NSW Suburb Comparison
Shellharbour for retirees and families; Wollongong for schools.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Visual comparison
ShellharbourWollongong
Crime rate
Shellharbour
73.8 / 1k
Wollongong
154.3 / 1k
Nearby amenities
Shellharbour
187
Wollongong
689
Population
Shellharbour
3,520
Wollongong
20,446
Metric leadShellharbour 3Wollongong 91 tiedacross 13 compared metrics
Livability profile
Desirability pillars scored 0–100 vs comparable suburbs
Quick verdicts
Clearer edge on lifestyle fit (score gap ≥ 3)
- Best for retireesShellharbour
- Best for familiesShellharbour
- Best for beach lifestyleShellharbour
- Best for investmentShellharbour
- Best for best valueShellharbour
- Best for best schoolsWollongong
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 | Shellharbour | Wollongong |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 54.6/100 | 55.3/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 56.7/100 | 65.4/100 |
| Crime rate | 73.8 / 1k | 154.3 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | 4 | 9 |
| Weather (desirability) | 82.3/100 | 82.3/100 |
| Parks & reserves | 10 | 13 |
| Public transport stops | 58 | 192 |
| Walkability | 75.0/100 | 100.0/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 187 | 689 |
| Planning activity | 16 | 74 |
| Green cover | 14.6% | 6.5% |
| Population | 3,520 | 20,446 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 6/10 | 8/10 |
Comparison summary
Shellharbour is a coastal mid-sized suburb shaped by beach life and outdoor living, while Wollongong is a beachside established suburb where the coast sets the tone. Shellharbour sits on a more distant stretch of coast, whereas Wollongong is firmly coastal.
On the data, Shellharbour is stronger for housing affordability, a quieter safety profile, and a calmer planning outlook; Wollongong answers with schools and education options, parks and reserves, and public transport access.
Shellharbour suits value-focused buyers more clearly, whereas Wollongong is the stronger match for families, people chasing a beach lifestyle, and households prioritising schools.
Generated from the official metrics on this page. It can omit nuance or contain errors — check the tables and source notes before relying on it.