Overall score
Airlie Beach
46.4/100
Noosa Heads
63.7/100
Airlie Beach vs Noosa Heads, QLD Suburb Comparison
Noosa Heads for retirees and families.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Visual comparison
Airlie BeachNoosa Heads
Crime rate
Airlie Beach
127.4 / 1k
Noosa Heads
54.9 / 1k
Nearby amenities
Airlie Beach
248
Noosa Heads
388
Population
Airlie Beach
1,312
Noosa Heads
5,120
Metric leadAirlie Beach 2Noosa Heads 9across 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 retireesNoosa Heads
- Best for familiesNoosa Heads
- Best for beach lifestyleNoosa Heads
- Best for investmentNoosa Heads
- Best for best schoolsNoosa Heads
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 | Noosa Heads |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 46.4/100 | 63.7/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 49.9/100 | 42.3/100 |
| Crime rate | 127.4 / 1k | 54.9 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | 1 | 5 |
| Weather (desirability) | 26.4/100 | 37.3/100 |
| Parks & reserves | 1 | 10 |
| Public transport stops | — | 23 |
| Walkability | 88.0/100 | 100.0/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 248 | 388 |
| Planning activity | 1 | — |
| Green cover | 11.8% | 1.0% |
| Population | 1,312 | 5,120 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 6/10 | 9/10 |
Comparison summary
Put side by side, Airlie Beach is a beachside smaller community where the coast sets the tone, and Noosa Heads is a coastal mid-sized suburb with an easy, sea-led rhythm. Airlie Beach sits further into the wider countryside, whereas Noosa Heads is on a more distant stretch of coast.
Airlie Beach pulls ahead on housing affordability, whereas Noosa Heads is the better pick for a quieter safety profile, schools and education options, and parks and reserves.
Airlie Beach suits investors more clearly, whereas Noosa Heads is the stronger match for retirees, families, people chasing a beach lifestyle, and 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.