Overall score
Sunset Beach
40.2/100
Waggrakine
37.3/100
Sunset Beach for retirees.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Overall score
Sunset Beach
40.2/100
Waggrakine
37.3/100
Crime rate
Sunset Beach
4181.3 / 1k
Waggrakine
2431.7 / 1k
Nearby amenities
Sunset Beach
2
Waggrakine
0
Population
Sunset Beach
1,558
Waggrakine
2,679
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 | Sunset Beach | Waggrakine |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 40.2/100 | 37.3/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 62.0/100 | 64.3/100 |
| Crime rate | 4181.3 / 1k | 2431.7 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | 1 | 1 |
| Parks & reserves | 1 | 1 |
| Public transport stops | 21 | 18 |
| Walkability | 30.0/100 | 27.0/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 2 | 0 |
| Population | 1,558 | 2,679 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 4/10 | 2/10 |
Put side by side, Sunset Beach is a quieter smaller community with space and a country-town pace, and Waggrakine is a quieter mid-sized suburb with space and a country-town pace.
Sunset Beach pulls ahead on public transport access and walkability, whereas Waggrakine is the better pick for housing affordability and a quieter safety profile. Sunset Beach generally means more mid-market housing value, while Waggrakine leans toward more approachable housing costs.
Sunset Beach suits retirees and families more clearly, whereas Waggrakine is the stronger match for households prioritising schools.