Overall score
Tighes Hill
43.9/100
Waratah
55.0/100
Tighes Hill for retirees and families; Waratah for schools.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Overall score
Tighes Hill
43.9/100
Waratah
55.0/100
Crime rate
Tighes Hill
55.9 / 1k
Waratah
158.1 / 1k
Nearby amenities
Tighes Hill
37
Waratah
190
Population
Tighes Hill
1,801
Waratah
4,927
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 | Tighes Hill | Waratah |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 43.9/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 48.8/100 | 40.8/100 |
| Crime rate | 55.9 / 1k | 158.1 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | 9 | 15 |
| Parks & reserves | 1 | 3 |
| Public transport stops | 29 | 110 |
| Walkability | 34.0/100 | 90.0/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 37 | 190 |
| Planning activity | 12 | 25 |
| Population | 1,801 | 4,927 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 8/10 | 4/10 |
Put side by side, Tighes Hill is a practical metro smaller community with solid links to the wider city, and Waratah is an energetic metro mid-sized suburb where cafés and local life overlap. Tighes Hill sits further out with more breathing room, whereas Waratah is in a middle-ring position.
Tighes Hill tends to lead on housing affordability and a quieter safety profile, while Waratah stands out for schools and education options and parks and reserves. Tighes Hill generally means more mid-market housing value, while Waratah leans toward more sought-after housing.
Choose Tighes Hill if you are weighing retirees and investors; lean toward Waratah for households prioritising schools.