Overall score
Airlie Beach
49.9/100
Port Douglas
46.4/100
Airlie Beach vs Port Douglas, QLD suburb comparison
Airlie Beach for beach lifestyle and investment; Port Douglas for retirees and families.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Visual comparison
Airlie BeachPort Douglas
Crime rate
Airlie Beach
79.2 / 1k
Port Douglas
38.5 / 1k
Nearby amenities
Airlie Beach
223
Port Douglas
55
Population
Airlie Beach
1,312
Port Douglas
3,650
Metric leadAirlie Beach 4Port Douglas 41 tiedacross 9 compared metrics
Livability profile
Desirability pillars scored 0–100 vs comparable suburbs
Quick verdicts
Clearer edge on lifestyle fit (score gap ≥ 3)
- Best for retireesPort Douglas
- Best for familiesPort Douglas
- Best for beach lifestyleAirlie Beach
- Best for investmentAirlie Beach
- 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 | 49.9/100 | 46.4/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 25.8/100 | 31.7/100 |
| Crime rate | 79.2 / 1k | 38.5 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | 1 | 1 |
| Parks & reserves | 1 | 7 |
| Walkability | 88.0/100 | 2.0/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 223 | 55 |
| Planning activity | 1 | — |
| 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 and nearby cafés and amenities, while Port Douglas stands out for housing affordability and a quieter safety profile.
People chasing a beach lifestyle and investors may find Airlie Beach the better fit, while retirees and families are more likely to prefer Port Douglas.