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Airlie Beach vs Noosa Heads, QLD suburb comparison

Airlie Beach for investment; Noosa Heads for retirees and families.

See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.

Head to head

Visual comparison

Airlie BeachNoosa Heads

Overall score

Airlie Beach

49.9/100

Noosa Heads

66.0/100

Crime rate

Airlie Beach

79.2 / 1k

Noosa Heads

30.9 / 1k

Nearby amenities

Airlie Beach

223

Noosa Heads

352

Population

Airlie Beach

1,312

Noosa Heads

5,120

Metric leadAirlie Beach 1Noosa Heads 8across 9 compared metrics

Livability profile

Desirability pillars scored 0–100 vs comparable suburbs

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.

CategoryAirlie BeachNoosa Heads
Overall score49.9/10066.0/100
Housing (desirability)25.8/10010.6/100
Crime rate79.2 / 1k30.9 / 1k
Schools & preschools15
Parks & reserves110
Public transport stops—23
Walkability88.0/100100.0/100
Nearby amenities223352
Planning activity1—
Population1,3125,120
SEIFA (IRSAD decile)6/109/10

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 and parks and reserves.

Airlie Beach suits investors and households prioritising schools more clearly, whereas Noosa Heads is the stronger match for retirees and families.

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