Overall score
Airlie Beach
46.4/100
Mackay
49.8/100
Airlie Beach vs Mackay, QLD Suburb Comparison
Airlie Beach for families and beach lifestyle; Mackay for retirees and investment.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Visual comparison
Airlie BeachMackay
Crime rate
Airlie Beach
127.4 / 1k
Mackay
108.6 / 1k
Nearby amenities
Airlie Beach
248
Mackay
393
Population
Airlie Beach
1,312
Mackay
4,026
Metric leadAirlie Beach 3Mackay 8across 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 retireesMackay
- Best for familiesAirlie Beach
- Best for beach lifestyleAirlie Beach
- Best for investmentMackay
- Best for best schoolsAirlie Beach
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 | Mackay |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 46.4/100 | 49.8/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 49.9/100 | 54.0/100 |
| Crime rate | 127.4 / 1k | 108.6 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | 1 | 6 |
| Weather (desirability) | 26.4/100 | 15.5/100 |
| Parks & reserves | 1 | 7 |
| Walkability | 88.0/100 | 80.5/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 248 | 393 |
| Planning activity | 1 | — |
| Green cover | 11.8% | 20.0% |
| Population | 1,312 | 4,026 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 6/10 | 2/10 |
Comparison summary
Put side by side, Airlie Beach is a beachside smaller community where the coast sets the tone, and Mackay is a regional hub with its own identity and everyday convenience. Airlie Beach leans into coastal living, while Mackay feels more inland and suburban in character.
Airlie Beach pulls ahead on housing affordability, walkability, and stronger socioeconomic advantage, whereas Mackay is the better pick for a quieter safety profile, schools and education options, and parks and reserves. On housing, Airlie Beach sits in a expensive band, compared with a affordable feel in Mackay.
Choose Airlie Beach if you are weighing retirees, people chasing a beach lifestyle, and investors; lean toward Mackay for 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.