Overall score
St Leonards
59.2/100
Willoughby East
50.3/100
St Leonards for schools; Willoughby East for retirees and families.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Overall score
St Leonards
59.2/100
Willoughby East
50.3/100
Crime rate
St Leonards
41.3 / 1k
Willoughby East
13.7 / 1k
Nearby amenities
St Leonards
315
Willoughby East
88
Population
St Leonards
7,212
Willoughby East
1,864
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 | St Leonards | Willoughby East |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 59.2/100 | 50.3/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 8.3/100 | 35.6/100 |
| Crime rate | 41.3 / 1k | 13.7 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | 15 | 7 |
| Parks & reserves | 5 | 2 |
| Public transport stops | 32 | 22 |
| Walkability | 100.0/100 | 30.0/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 315 | 88 |
| Planning activity | 20 | 4 |
| Population | 7,212 | 1,864 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 10/10 | 10/10 |
St Leonards reads as a well-serviced metro mid-sized suburb with plenty happening nearby; Willoughby East is a well-serviced metro smaller community with plenty happening nearby.
St Leonards tends to lead on parks and reserves and public transport access, while Willoughby East stands out for housing affordability and a quieter safety profile.
Choose St Leonards if you are weighing families and households prioritising schools; lean toward Willoughby East for retirees and investors.