Safest Suburbs in Sydney 2025 Crime Data Report

According to BOCSAR (Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research) data for the 12 months ending September 2025, Sydney's safest suburbs record crime rates as low as 600 incidents per 100,000 residents — nearly 11 times lower than the NSW state average of 6,635 per 100,000. Westleigh, in Sydney's Hills District, leads the ranking at just 600 per 100,000, while Willoughby East follows at 697. Of the top 11 safest suburbs analysed in this report, 7 are located on Sydney's North Shore or in the Hills District, with median house prices ranging from $1.8M to $4M. This data report examines crime statistics, property prices, and demographic profiles across Sydney's lowest-crime neighbourhoods to help families make informed decisions.

Key Findings

• Westleigh is Sydney's safest suburb with a crime rate of just 600 per 100,000 — 91% below the NSW average of 6,635 (BOCSAR 2025). Its median house price of $1.8M makes it the most affordable entry point among the top 5 safest suburbs.
• The North Shore dominates safety rankings — 7 of the 11 safest Sydney suburbs are on the North Shore or in the Hills District, including Willoughby East (697), North Wahroonga (714), East Killara (794), and St Ives Chase (914).
• East Killara has the highest Chinese community presence among the safest suburbs at 46.7% (ABS Census 2021), followed by St Ives Chase (24.0%) and West Pennant Hills (23.2%). These suburbs offer both safety and established Chinese community infrastructure.
• All 11 suburbs sit below 1,000 per 100,000 — every suburb in this report has a crime rate at least 85% lower than the NSW state average, placing them firmly in the "ultra-safe" category.
• Premium pricing correlates with safety — 9 of the 11 suburbs have median house prices above $2.5M, well above the Sydney median of approximately $1.5M (Domain). East Killara tops property values at $4M.

Data Overview

The following table summarises the 11 safest suburbs within Greater Sydney (within approximately 40km of the CBD), ranked by crime rate from lowest to highest. Crime data is sourced from BOCSAR for the 12 months ending September 2025. Property prices are sourced from Domain. Chinese population percentages are from ABS Census 2021.

Sources: Crime rates from BOCSAR (12 months ending September 2025). Property prices from Domain. Chinese population from ABS Census 2021. Only suburbs within Greater Sydney (approximately 40km of CBD) are included. Suburbs in regional NSW excluded.

In-Depth Analysis

Safety Tiers: How Sydney's Safest Suburbs Compare

To put these numbers in perspective, the NSW state average crime rate is 6,635 incidents per 100,000 residents (BOCSAR 2025). Every suburb in this report sits dramatically below that benchmark. We can group them into three safety tiers:

Tier 1 — Ultra-Low (under 750 per 100K): Westleigh (600), Willoughby East (697), and North Wahroonga (714) form the safest tier. These three suburbs average just 670 incidents per 100,000 — roughly 90% below the state average. Westleigh recorded only 27 total incidents across its population of 4,501, while Willoughby East had just 13 incidents among 1,864 residents.

Voyager Point (775) also sits near this tier, standing out as the only South West Sydney entry in the top 11, with just 13 incidents among 1,678 residents. Its presence challenges the assumption that only the affluent North Shore produces ultra-safe suburbs.

Tier 2 — Very Low (750-900 per 100K): East Killara (794) and Glenhaven (891) occupy this band. East Killara recorded 23 incidents across 2,895 residents, while Glenhaven — the largest suburb in this tier by population (6,619 residents) — had 59 incidents. Both sit approximately 87-88% below the NSW average.

Tier 3 — Low (900-1,000 per 100K): Five suburbs cluster between 900 and 1,000: St Ives Chase (914), Breakfast Point (919), East Ryde (952), West Pennant Hills (963), and North Balgowlah (970). Even at the upper end of this group, crime rates remain 85% below the state average. West Pennant Hills is notable as the largest suburb in the entire report (16,620 residents), demonstrating that low crime rates can be sustained at scale — it recorded 160 incidents, which across its large population still translates to a rate of just 963 per 100,000.

Property Market: What Safety Costs

Safety comes at a premium in Sydney. Among the 10 suburbs with available house price data, median values range from $1.8M (Westleigh) to $4M (East Killara), all well above the Sydney-wide median of approximately $1.5M (Domain).

The data reveals three distinct price bands within these safe suburbs:

Premium ($3M+): Six suburbs command median house prices of $3M or above. East Killara leads at $4M, followed by North Balgowlah ($3.7M), Willoughby East ($3.6M), and both Breakfast Point and St Ives Chase at $3.3M. These suburbs tend to be closer to the CBD (11-27km) and offer proximity to employment centres alongside their safety credentials.

Upper-Middle ($2.5M-$3M): Four suburbs sit in this band: Glenhaven ($2.9M), North Wahroonga ($2.7M), West Pennant Hills ($2.6M), and East Ryde ($2.5M). These offer a balance between safety and relative affordability, typically located 18-36km from the CBD in well-established residential areas.

Relative Value ($1.8M): Westleigh stands alone as both the safest suburb and the most affordable in this group at $1.8M — still above the Sydney median but $2.2M less than the most expensive entry. At 31km from the CBD, it offers the lowest crime rate in Sydney at the most accessible price point on this list.

For unit buyers, East Ryde ($800K) and Westleigh ($800K) offer the most affordable entry points among suburbs with unit data available. At the upper end, Willoughby East units sit at $1.5M and North Wahroonga at $1.5M, reflecting their premium North Shore positioning.

Sources: Domain property prices. Voyager Point excluded due to no available price data. Percentages calculated against Sydney median house price of approximately $1.5M.

Demographics: Chinese-Australian Community Presence

Several of Sydney's safest suburbs are home to significant Chinese Australian communities, making them particularly relevant for Chinese-Australian families researching where to live. Based on ABS Census 2021 data:

• East Killara (46.7% Chinese, 1,353 residents): Nearly half the population has Chinese heritage. Combined with a crime rate of 794 per 100,000 and proximity to top-ranked schools on the Upper North Shore, it is one of Sydney's most sought-after suburbs for Chinese-Australian families.
• St Ives Chase (24.0%, 788 residents): In the Upper North Shore's bushland corridor, this suburb of 3,283 residents combines nature access with a strong Chinese community and a crime rate of 914 per 100,000.
• West Pennant Hills (23.2%, 3,850 residents): The largest suburb on this list (16,620 total residents) maintains a low crime rate of 963 per 100,000. Its large Chinese community of 3,850 means well-established cultural infrastructure.
• Breakfast Point (18.0%, 843 residents): A planned waterfront community in Sydney's Inner West, offering modern apartments and a crime rate of 919 per 100,000.
• North Wahroonga (17.0%, 357 residents): Quieter and more bushland-oriented than neighbouring suburbs, with a crime rate of 714 per 100,000 — the third lowest on this list.

Suburbs with lower Chinese-heritage populations — North Balgowlah (2.7%), Glenhaven (5.8%), and Voyager Point (5.4%) — share the same safety characteristics but have different demographic profiles. For a broader analysis of Chinese community distribution, see our Top 10 Suburbs with Highest Chinese Population in Sydney report.

Commute and Transport Accessibility

Distance to the CBD varies considerably across these safe suburbs. Willoughby East is the closest at 10.8km (19 minutes by car), while Westleigh sits at 30.8km (37 minutes by car). The data shows a general pattern: closer suburbs tend to be more expensive but offer shorter commutes.

A consistent characteristic across all 11 safest suburbs is the absence of train stations. This is not a coincidence — train stations bring commercial activity, foot traffic, and higher population density, all of which tend to increase recorded crime. The safest suburbs are primarily quiet, car-dependent residential pockets that limit the volume of non-resident visitors.

Residents typically rely on buses or driving to nearby stations. Public transit times to the CBD range from 43 minutes (Willoughby East) to 79 minutes (Westleigh and North Wahroonga). For families who work remotely or locally, the lack of train access may be a minor inconvenience. For CBD commuters, it is a significant trade-off to consider.

Breakfast Point, despite lacking a train station, benefits from its Inner West location (17.8km to CBD) with a 27-minute drive and 51-minute public transit commute. East Ryde offers a similar profile at 17.7km from the CBD with a 24-minute drive.

Population Size and Statistical Reliability

An important nuance in interpreting this data is the relationship between population size and statistical reliability. Smaller suburbs can appear statistically safer because even a handful of additional incidents would significantly shift the rate. Willoughby East (1,864 residents, 13 incidents) and North Wahroonga (2,100 residents, 15 incidents) should be interpreted with this in mind — one additional incident in Willoughby East would shift its rate by approximately 54 points.

West Pennant Hills, with 16,620 residents and 160 recorded incidents, provides a more statistically robust measure of sustained low crime. Its rate of 963 per 100,000 reflects a genuine long-term pattern across a large population base. Similarly, Glenhaven (6,619 residents, 59 incidents) and Westleigh (4,501 residents, 27 incidents) offer reliable data points with larger sample sizes.

Regional Comparison

Sydney's safest suburbs cluster in distinct geographic corridors. Understanding these regional patterns helps families narrow their search based on both safety preferences and lifestyle needs.

Average crime rate calculated across listed suburbs within each region. Data sources: BOCSAR 2025, Domain, ABS Census 2021.

The North Shore contributes 5 of the 11 safest suburbs and offers the widest range of both price points and Chinese community sizes — from East Ryde's $2.5M with 11.7% Chinese population to East Killara's $4M with 46.7%. This region provides the best access to highly-ranked HSC schools; explore our NSW School Rankings for detailed data.

The Hills District provides comparable safety (average crime rate 818 per 100K) at more moderate prices ($1.8M - $2.9M), but distances of 30-36km from the CBD mean longer commutes. These suburbs suit families who prioritise space, safety, and value over CBD proximity.

Breakfast Point in the Inner West stands out as the only safe suburb offering an urban waterfront lifestyle, though at a premium price of $3.3M. North Balgowlah on the Northern Beaches offers coastal living with strong safety credentials but at $3.7M and with a smaller Chinese community (2.7%).

Voyager Point in South West Sydney is the most intriguing outlier — ranking 4th safest overall with a crime rate of 775, it demonstrates that exceptional safety is not exclusive to the affluent North Shore.

Just Outside the Top 11

Several suburbs narrowly missed the top 11 and are worth monitoring for safety-conscious families. Based on BOCSAR 2025 data: Riverview (1,017 per 100K, house $3.2M), North Epping (1,052, house $2.6M), Davidson (1,064, house $2.5M), Denistone East (1,091, Chinese population 37.5%), and South Turramurra (1,091, house $2.9M) all record crime rates well under 20% of the NSW average. These suburbs reinforce the pattern of the North Shore and Hills District as Sydney's safest corridor. For a complete directory of NSW suburbs, visit AU Guide NSW Suburbs.

What This Means for Families

For families evaluating suburbs based on safety, this data highlights several practical considerations:

Best Value for Safety

Westleigh offers the lowest crime rate (600 per 100K) at the most accessible price point ($1.8M median house) among the safest suburbs. Located 31km from the CBD in the Hills District, it suits families who can manage longer commutes in exchange for exceptional safety and a lower entry price. For unit buyers, both Westleigh and East Ryde offer median unit prices of $800K. Visit AU Guide's Westleigh profile for full suburb data.

Best for Chinese-Australian Families

East Killara (46.7% Chinese), St Ives Chase (24.0%), and West Pennant Hills (23.2%) combine strong Chinese-heritage communities with crime rates between 794 and 963 per 100K. These suburbs offer nearby Chinese language schools, Asian grocery stores, cultural activities, and established community networks. East Killara is the premium option at $4M, while West Pennant Hills offers a more moderate entry at $2.6M with a larger absolute Chinese population of 3,850 residents.

Closest to the CBD

Willoughby East (10.8km, crime rate 697) and North Balgowlah (14.9km, crime rate 970) are the safest options for families needing to be closer to the city. Both carry premium pricing ($3.6M and $3.7M respectively) but offer the shortest commutes on this list — Willoughby East is reachable in just 19 minutes by car.

Best for Larger Families and Communities

West Pennant Hills is the largest suburb on the list with 16,620 residents. Despite its size, it maintains a crime rate of just 963 per 100K. Its larger population supports more local amenities, schools, and community infrastructure than smaller suburbs. The trade-off is a 30km distance to the CBD.

Key Trade-offs to Consider

• No train access: Every suburb in the top 11 lacks a train station. Families reliant on public transport should factor in bus connections and car ownership as a necessity.
• Premium pricing: Only Westleigh sits below $2M for houses. Unit options exist in some suburbs (Westleigh and East Ryde both at $800K), but stock may be limited in low-density residential areas.
• Distance from CBD: 7 of the 11 suburbs are over 17km from the city centre. Remote working arrangements or local employment significantly change the commuting equation.
• Rental availability: Several suburbs (Glenhaven, West Pennant Hills, Voyager Point) have limited rental data, suggesting they are predominantly owner-occupied. Families looking to rent before buying may find better options in Westleigh (3-bedroom house rent: $793/week), Breakfast Point ($963/week), or Willoughby East ($1,200/week) (Domain).

FAQ

What is the safest suburb in Sydney in 2025?

Based on BOCSAR data for the 12 months ending September 2025, Westleigh in the Hills District is Sydney's safest suburb with a crime rate of 600 incidents per 100,000 residents — 91% below the NSW state average of 6,635 per 100,000. It recorded only 27 criminal incidents across its population of 4,501 residents.

Are Sydney's safest suburbs affordable?

Most of Sydney's safest suburbs carry premium property prices. Among the top 11, median house prices range from $1.8M (Westleigh) to $4M (East Killara), all above the Sydney median of approximately $1.5M (Domain). Westleigh offers the best combination of safety and relative affordability. For unit buyers, Westleigh and East Ryde both have median unit prices of $800K, providing more accessible entry points while maintaining crime rates under 1,000 per 100,000.

Which safe suburbs have the largest Chinese communities?

Among Sydney's 11 safest suburbs, East Killara has the highest Chinese-heritage population at 46.7% (1,353 residents), followed by St Ives Chase at 24.0% (788 residents), West Pennant Hills at 23.2% (3,850 residents), and Breakfast Point at 18.0% (843 residents), according to ABS Census 2021 data. These suburbs offer both safety and established Chinese community infrastructure.

How is the crime rate calculated?

Crime rates in this report are expressed as incidents per 100,000 residents, based on data from the NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (BOCSAR) for the 12 months ending September 2025. This standardised rate allows fair comparison between suburbs of different population sizes — for example, West Pennant Hills has 160 recorded incidents but a population of 16,620, giving it a rate of 963 per 100,000. The NSW state average is 6,635 incidents per 100,000 residents.

Why do the safest suburbs not have train stations?

All 11 of Sydney's safest suburbs lack their own train station. Train stations attract foot traffic, commercial activity, and higher population density — factors that tend to increase recorded crime rates. Quieter, car-dependent residential suburbs without major transport hubs naturally experience fewer incidents. However, most of these suburbs are within a 20-40 minute drive of the CBD and are served by bus routes connecting to nearby rail stations.

Is Voyager Point a good alternative to North Shore suburbs?

Voyager Point ranks 4th safest in Sydney with a crime rate of 775 per 100,000, comparable to the North Shore's best suburbs. Located in South West Sydney (34km from CBD), it offers a lower-cost alternative to the North Shore — though median property prices are not currently available in our database. With a smaller Chinese community (5.4%), it may suit families who prioritise safety and affordability over cultural community infrastructure.

What suburbs just missed the top 11 safest list?

Five suburbs sit just outside the top 11: Riverview (1,017 per 100K), North Epping (1,052), Davidson (1,064), Denistone East (1,091), and South Turramurra (1,091). All record crime rates more than 80% below the NSW state average and are strong options for safety-conscious families. Denistone East is particularly notable for its 37.5% Chinese-heritage population.

Data Sources

• NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (BOCSAR) — Crime statistics, 12 months ending September 2025
• Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) — Census 2021 population and ancestry data
• Domain — Median property prices and rental data
• AU Guide NSW Suburb Profiles — Comprehensive suburb data, safety assessments, and school rankings