Overall score
Airlie Beach
46.4/100
Mandalay
32.7/100
Airlie Beach vs Mandalay, QLD Suburb Comparison
Airlie Beach for retirees and families; Mandalay for value.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Visual comparison
Airlie BeachMandalay
Crime rate
Airlie Beach
127.4 / 1k
Mandalay
129.0 / 1k
Nearby amenities
Airlie Beach
248
Mandalay
7
Population
Airlie Beach
1,312
Mandalay
338
Metric leadAirlie Beach 7Mandalay 12 tiedacross 10 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 familiesAirlie Beach
- Best for beach lifestyleAirlie Beach
- Best for investmentAirlie Beach
- Best for best valueMandalay
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 | 46.4/100 | 32.7/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 49.9/100 | 41.9/100 |
| Crime rate | 127.4 / 1k | 129.0 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | 1 | — |
| Weather (desirability) | 26.4/100 | 26.4/100 |
| Parks & reserves | 1 | 1 |
| Walkability | 88.0/100 | 0.0/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 248 | 7 |
| Planning activity | 1 | — |
| Green cover | 11.8% | 53.9% |
| 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, walkability, and nearby cafés and amenities, 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, investors, and value-focused buyers.
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.