Overall score
Airlie Beach
49.9/100
Cairns City
56.5/100
Airlie Beach vs Cairns City, QLD suburb comparison
Airlie Beach for retirees and investment; Cairns City for families and beach lifestyle.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Visual comparison
Airlie BeachCairns City
Crime rate
Airlie Beach
79.2 / 1k
Cairns City
145.8 / 1k
Nearby amenities
Airlie Beach
223
Cairns City
799
Population
Airlie Beach
1,312
Cairns City
3,616
Metric leadAirlie Beach 2Cairns City 7across 9 compared metrics
Livability profile
Desirability pillars scored 0–100 vs comparable suburbs
Quick verdicts
Clearer edge on lifestyle fit (score gap ≥ 3)
- Best for retireesAirlie Beach
- Best for familiesCairns City
- Best for beach lifestyleCairns City
- Best for investmentAirlie Beach
- 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 | 49.9/100 | 56.5/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 25.8/100 | 10.6/100 |
| Crime rate | 79.2 / 1k | 145.8 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | 1 | 6 |
| Parks & reserves | 1 | 5 |
| Walkability | 88.0/100 | 95.5/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 223 | 799 |
| Planning activity | 1 | — |
| 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 parks and reserves and walkability. On housing, Airlie Beach sits in a expensive band, compared with a well priced feel in Cairns City.
Airlie Beach suits retirees and investors more clearly, whereas Cairns City is the stronger match for families and people chasing a beach lifestyle.