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10 Perth Suburbs with the Lowest Break-In Rates
Burglary is the property crime that hits closest to home — literally. Unlike vehicle theft or shoplifting, a break-in means someone entered your private space. It's the offence most likely to make people consider moving suburbs.
How we ranked break-in safety
We used WA Police offence data to calculate the burglary rate per 100 residents for every Perth metro suburb. This includes:
- Dwelling burglary — break-ins to houses, units, and apartments
- Non-dwelling burglary — sheds, garages, and outbuildings
The rate is normalised per 100 residents, so a large suburb with many break-ins isn't unfairly compared to a small one with very few.
What makes a suburb break-in resistant?
The data reveals a few patterns among the safest suburbs:
- High owner-occupier rates — residents who own their home invest more in security and know their neighbours
- Low through-traffic — cul-de-sac layouts and suburbs away from major arterial roads see fewer opportunistic break-ins
- Active community — Neighbourhood Watch participation and daytime foot traffic both correlate with lower rates
Interestingly, price isn't the strongest predictor. Several affordable suburbs manage break-in rates lower than some of Perth's wealthiest postcodes.
West Swan
West Swan sits at the northern edge of Perth's Swan Valley wine region, a semi-rural stretch where craft breweries, family wineries, and eucalypt-lined roads define the character. It draws weekend visitors rather than a buzzing resident scene, and locals tend to be practical, commuter types. Scenic vineyard drives and affordable brewery afternoons are the main draw, though the main road corridor has seen its share of traffic incidents and the area carries real bushfire risk in summer.
Churchlands
Churchlands is a quiet, established suburb in Perth's inner northwest, best known for its catchment to Churchlands Senior High School, one of the city's most sought-after public schools. Large homes line leafy streets beside Herdsman Lake, offering easy access to nature trails and birdlife. The area is car-dependent with little in the way of cafes or retail, but families consistently rate it highly for its safe, unhurried atmosphere and strong school options.
Marmion
Marmion is a quiet, upscale coastal suburb sitting between the Indian Ocean and the northern suburbs sprawl, defined almost entirely by its beach, marine park, and outdoor lifestyle. The protected waters of Marmion Marine Park draw snorkellers, fishers, and wildlife spotters year-round, with whale and seal sightings a regular occurrence. Property here is seriously expensive, with beachside homes fetching well over $2 million, reflecting the suburb's desirability as an established, peaceful enclave.
Hocking
Hocking is an established northern suburb in the City of Wanneroo, popular with families seeking affordable, quiet suburban living. Long-term residents speak to its settled character, with a local Woolworths and nearby amenities on Wanneroo Road. However, the area has seen periodic crime incidents, from opportunistic vehicle theft to more serious offences, reflecting broader challenges across Perth's outer northern corridor.
Woodlands
Woodlands is a quiet, established suburb north of the river in Perth's inner-northwest, consistently described as relatively affluent with steady property appeal. Residents are predominantly car-dependent, with freeway access via Powis Street a typical daily reality. The suburb's low-key residential character, with local reserves and suburban tranquility, suits families and owner-occupiers seeking proximity to the city without inner-urban intensity.
Burns Beach
Burns Beach is a relaxed coastal suburb on Perth's northern fringe where beach lifestyle defines daily life. Stunning sunsets, snorkelling off the rocks, and wildlife encounters along the coastal path draw residents who prioritise nature over urban convenience. Families are well represented, attracted by quieter streets and good northern suburbs schools, but you'll need a car for everything, and the Tamala tip can make its presence known on hot days.
Tapping
Tapping is a quiet, family-oriented suburb in Perth’s northern corridor, bordered by Wanneroo and Banksia Grove. Affordable entry-level housing attracts young families and buyers priced out of inner-ring suburbs. The area is heavily car dependent with limited public transport links to Joondalup. Green open space including Davinci Park is a local highlight, though residents note sparse dining options and a degree of bushfire risk from surrounding bushland.
Piara Waters
Piara Waters is a new-development suburb south of Perth that attracts young families and first home buyers with its modern houses, safe streets, and proximity to Harrisdale shopping. The arrival of Starbucks became a surprisingly big local event. However, residents frequently note the suburb is deeply car-dependent with no train station and limited public transport. The cookie-cutter housing draws comparisons to identikit estates, and locals joke about being part of Harrisdale's orbit. People describe it as safe but bland — a quiet place to raise kids if you do not mind driving everywhere.
Jolimont
Jolimont is a compact, leafy inner suburb tucked between Subiaco and the Floreat Athetic precinct. Its tree-lined streets and rail access make it a quiet but well-connected address popular with renters and apartment owners. The suburb leans residential and established, with a modest local food scene, Moss Black Cafe earns a mention among Perth's best, and easy reach of Subiaco's wider amenities. New development is slowly reshaping parts of the suburb.
Break-ins vs. overall crime
A low break-in rate doesn't guarantee low crime across the board. Some suburbs with minimal burglary still see vehicle theft, property damage, or other offences. For a complete safety picture, check each suburb's overall crime score on our crime explorer.
Reducing your risk
Regardless of suburb, the data shows that most burglaries are opportunistic. WA Police recommend:
- Locking doors and windows (40% of break-ins involve unlocked entry points)
- Good exterior lighting and visible security cameras
- Trimming vegetation near windows and doors
- Getting to know your neighbours — they're your best security system
For a broader safety ranking that considers all crime types, see our 10 Safest Suburbs in Perth.
Data & methodology
Suburbs are ranked by break-in rate per 100 residents (lowest first), calculated from WA Police dwelling burglary data. The rate includes all reported dwelling and non-dwelling burglary offences, normalised by suburb population from ABS Census 2021.
Only Perth metro suburbs with population above 500 and recorded burglary data are included. Very small suburbs are excluded because a single incident can create a misleadingly high rate. The overall crime score shown alongside each suburb uses our broader composite metric covering violent crime, property crime, drug offences, and other offences.
Data sources: WA Police (burglary offences), ABS Census 2021 (population), real estate websites + WA Rental Bonds (rent context).
Nick Lilleyman
Founder & Data Lead, Burb Score
Nick built Burb Score to give Perth families a data-driven view of where to live. He works directly with the ACARA, WA Police, ABS Census, WA Rental Bonds and real estate datasets that power every ranking on this site. Rankings are generated programmatically from official data sources, not opinions, and refresh automatically. No sponsored content or paid placements.
Frequently asked questions
What counts as a "break-in" in this data?
The WA Police data includes dwelling burglary (houses, units, apartments) and non-dwelling burglary (sheds, garages, commercial buildings). Both are counted in the per-suburb rate. The data reflects reported offences — actual rates may be slightly higher as some break-ins go unreported.
How does break-in rate differ from crime score?
Break-in rate is a single metric — burglaries per 100 residents. Our crime score is a broader composite that includes violent crime, all property crime types (not just burglary), and drug offences. A suburb might have low break-ins but higher vehicle theft, which would lower its overall crime score.
Are these the safest suburbs overall?
Not necessarily. These are the suburbs with the lowest burglary rates specifically. For an overall safety ranking considering all crime types, see our 10 Safest Suburbs in Perth guide, which uses the composite crime score.
Do apartment complexes have lower break-in rates?
Our data is at the suburb level, not building level. Suburbs with more apartments may show different patterns — secured buildings with swipe access tend to have fewer break-ins, but ground-floor units can be more vulnerable. The suburb rate captures the overall neighbourhood trend.
How often is the break-in data updated?
WA Police offence data is released annually. Our rankings update automatically when new data becomes available. Year-to-year fluctuations are normal in smaller suburbs, so we recommend looking at the overall trend rather than any single year.
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