Overall score
Airlie Beach
49.9/100
Mandalay
36.1/100
Airlie Beach vs Mandalay, QLD suburb comparison
Airlie Beach for beach lifestyle and schools; Mandalay for families and investment.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Visual comparison
Airlie BeachMandalay
Crime rate
Airlie Beach
79.2 / 1k
Mandalay
80.4 / 1k
Nearby amenities
Airlie Beach
223
Mandalay
6
Population
Airlie Beach
1,312
Mandalay
338
Metric leadAirlie Beach 6Mandalay 11 tiedacross 8 compared metrics
Livability profile
Desirability pillars scored 0–100 vs comparable suburbs
Quick verdicts
Clearer edge on lifestyle fit (score gap ≥ 3)
- Best for familiesMandalay
- Best for beach lifestyleAirlie Beach
- Best for investmentMandalay
- Best for best valueMandalay
- 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 | Mandalay |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 49.9/100 | 36.1/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 25.8/100 | 57.0/100 |
| Crime rate | 79.2 / 1k | 80.4 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | 1 | — |
| Parks & reserves | 1 | 1 |
| Walkability | 88.0/100 | 0.0/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 223 | 6 |
| Planning activity | 1 | — |
| Population | 1,312 | 338 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 6/10 | 4/10 |
Comparison summary
Airlie Beach reads as a beachside smaller community where the coast sets the tone; Mandalay is a more rural smaller community that rewards people who want room to breathe. Where Airlie Beach is shaped by the coast, Mandalay offers a more landlocked suburban rhythm.
Airlie Beach tends to lead on a quieter safety profile and walkability, while Mandalay stands out for housing affordability. Airlie Beach generally means more sought-after housing, while Mandalay leans toward more mid-market housing value.
Choose Airlie Beach if you are weighing people chasing a beach lifestyle and households prioritising schools; lean toward Mandalay for families and investors.