Overall score
Airlie Beach
46.4/100
Proserpine
39.8/100
Airlie Beach for beach lifestyle and schools; Proserpine for retirees and families.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Overall score
Airlie Beach
46.4/100
Proserpine
39.8/100
Crime rate
Airlie Beach
127.4 / 1k
Proserpine
69.7 / 1k
Nearby amenities
Airlie Beach
248
Proserpine
21
Population
Airlie Beach
1,312
Proserpine
3,614
Desirability pillars scored 0–100 vs comparable suburbs
Clearer edge on lifestyle fit (score gap ≥ 3)
Who each suburb suits — composite scores out of 100
Side-by-side scores for every compared metric.
Exact figures for every metric — winner highlighted in bold.
| Category | Airlie Beach | Proserpine |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 46.4/100 | 39.8/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 49.9/100 | 57.7/100 |
| Crime rate | 127.4 / 1k | 69.7 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | 1 | 2 |
| Weather (desirability) | 26.4/100 | 8.0/100 |
| Parks & reserves | 1 | 6 |
| Walkability | 88.0/100 | 1.5/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 248 | 21 |
| Planning activity | 1 | — |
| Green cover | 11.8% | 5.7% |
| Population | 1,312 | 3,614 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 6/10 | 2/10 |
Airlie Beach is a beachside smaller community where the coast sets the tone, while Proserpine is a regional mid-sized suburb with local services and a more relaxed pace. Airlie Beach leans into coastal living, while Proserpine feels more inland and suburban in character.
Airlie Beach pulls ahead on walkability, nearby cafés and amenities, and overall desirability, whereas Proserpine is the better pick for housing affordability, a quieter safety profile, and schools and education options. On housing, Airlie Beach sits in a expensive band, compared with a affordable feel in Proserpine.
Retirees and people chasing a beach lifestyle may find Airlie Beach the better fit, while investors, value-focused buyers, and households prioritising schools are more likely to prefer Proserpine.
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.