Overall score
Airlie Beach
46.4/100
Cairns City
52.4/100
Airlie Beach vs Cairns City, QLD Suburb Comparison
Airlie Beach for value; Cairns City for retirees and families.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Visual comparison
Airlie BeachCairns City
Crime rate
Airlie Beach
127.4 / 1k
Cairns City
236.8 / 1k
Nearby amenities
Airlie Beach
248
Cairns City
810
Population
Airlie Beach
1,312
Cairns City
3,616
Metric leadAirlie Beach 4Cairns City 7across 11 compared metrics
Livability profile
Desirability pillars scored 0–100 vs comparable suburbs
Quick verdicts
Clearer edge on lifestyle fit (score gap ≥ 3)
- Best for retireesCairns City
- Best for familiesCairns City
- Best for beach lifestyleCairns City
- Best for investmentCairns City
- Best for best valueAirlie Beach
- Best for best schoolsCairns City
Audience fit
Who each suburb suits — composite scores out of 100
All metrics
Side-by-side scores for every compared metric.
Full comparison table
Exact figures for every metric — winner highlighted in bold.
| Category | Airlie Beach | Cairns City |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 46.4/100 | 52.4/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 49.9/100 | 10.9/100 |
| Crime rate | 127.4 / 1k | 236.8 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | 1 | 6 |
| Weather (desirability) | 26.4/100 | 11.8/100 |
| Parks & reserves | 1 | 5 |
| Walkability | 88.0/100 | 94.0/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 248 | 810 |
| Planning activity | 1 | — |
| Green cover | 11.8% | 5.3% |
| Population | 1,312 | 3,616 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 6/10 | 8/10 |
Comparison summary
Airlie Beach reads as a beachside smaller community where the coast sets the tone; Cairns City is a beachside mid-sized suburb where the coast sets the tone.
Airlie Beach tends to lead on housing affordability and a quieter safety profile, while Cairns City stands out for schools and education options, parks and reserves, and walkability. On housing, Airlie Beach sits in a expensive band, compared with a gently premium feel in Cairns City.
Airlie Beach suits retirees, investors, and value-focused buyers more clearly, whereas Cairns City is the stronger match for families, people chasing a beach lifestyle, and households prioritising schools.
Generated from the official metrics on this page. It can omit nuance or contain errors — check the tables and source notes before relying on it.