Overall score
Airlie Beach
49.9/100
Cannonvale
49.3/100
Airlie Beach for beach lifestyle; Cannonvale for families and value.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Overall score
Airlie Beach
49.9/100
Cannonvale
49.3/100
Crime rate
Airlie Beach
81.9 / 1k
Cannonvale
81.8 / 1k
Nearby amenities
Airlie Beach
223
Cannonvale
126
Population
Airlie Beach
1,312
Cannonvale
6,596
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 | Airlie Beach | Cannonvale |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 49.9/100 | 49.3/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 25.8/100 | 33.6/100 |
| Crime rate | 81.9 / 1k | 81.8 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | 1 | 2 |
| Parks & reserves | 1 | 6 |
| Walkability | 88.0/100 | 26.0/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 223 | 126 |
| Planning activity | 1 | — |
| Population | 1,312 | 6,596 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 6/10 | 4/10 |
Put side by side, Airlie Beach is a beachside smaller community where the coast sets the tone, and Cannonvale is a regional mid-sized suburb that feels self-contained without feeling remote. Where Airlie Beach is shaped by the coast, Cannonvale offers a more landlocked suburban rhythm.
Airlie Beach tends to lead on walkability and nearby cafés and amenities, while Cannonvale stands out for housing affordability and a quieter safety profile.
People chasing a beach lifestyle may find Airlie Beach the better fit, while families and value-focused buyers are more likely to prefer Cannonvale.