Overall score
Airlie Beach
46.4/100
Port Douglas
44.5/100
Airlie Beach vs Port Douglas, QLD Suburb Comparison
Airlie Beach for beach lifestyle; Port Douglas for families and investment.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Visual comparison
Airlie BeachPort Douglas
Crime rate
Airlie Beach
127.4 / 1k
Port Douglas
66.4 / 1k
Nearby amenities
Airlie Beach
248
Port Douglas
58
Population
Airlie Beach
1,312
Port Douglas
3,650
Metric leadAirlie Beach 6Port Douglas 41 tiedacross 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 familiesPort Douglas
- Best for beach lifestyleAirlie Beach
- Best for investmentPort Douglas
- Best for best schoolsPort Douglas
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 | Port Douglas |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 46.4/100 | 44.5/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 49.9/100 | 52.9/100 |
| Crime rate | 127.4 / 1k | 66.4 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | 1 | 1 |
| Weather (desirability) | 26.4/100 | 7.6/100 |
| Parks & reserves | 1 | 7 |
| Walkability | 88.0/100 | 2.0/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 248 | 58 |
| Planning activity | 1 | — |
| Green cover | 11.8% | 7.7% |
| Population | 1,312 | 3,650 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 6/10 | 5/10 |
Comparison summary
Airlie Beach reads as a beachside smaller community where the coast sets the tone; Port Douglas is a beachside mid-sized suburb where the coast sets the tone.
Airlie Beach tends to lead on walkability, nearby cafés and amenities, and overall desirability, while Port Douglas stands out for housing affordability, a quieter safety profile, and parks and reserves.
People chasing a beach lifestyle and investors may find Airlie Beach the better fit, while retirees, families, and households prioritising schools are more likely to prefer Port Douglas.
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.