Overall score
Aroona
52.7/100
Caloundra
65.3/100
Aroona for investment and value; Caloundra for retirees and families.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Overall score
Aroona
52.7/100
Caloundra
65.3/100
Crime rate
Aroona
44.3 / 1k
Caloundra
44.4 / 1k
Nearby amenities
Aroona
20
Caloundra
313
Population
Aroona
3,466
Caloundra
3,932
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 | Aroona | Caloundra |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 52.7/100 | 65.3/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 59.2/100 | 51.6/100 |
| Crime rate | 44.3 / 1k | 44.4 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | 5 | 4 |
| Weather (desirability) | 31.2/100 | 31.2/100 |
| Parks & reserves | 5 | 7 |
| Public transport stops | 9 | 26 |
| Walkability | 13.5/100 | 100.0/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 20 | 313 |
| Green cover | 23.0% | 3.9% |
| Population | 3,466 | 3,932 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 7/10 | 2/10 |
Aroona is a sought-after metro mid-sized suburb where housing reflects strong local demand, while Caloundra is a beachside mid-sized suburb where the coast sets the tone. Caloundra leans into coastal living, while Aroona feels more inland and suburban in character.
Aroona tends to lead on housing affordability, schools and education options, and stronger socioeconomic advantage, while Caloundra stands out for a quieter safety profile, parks and reserves, and public transport access.
Retirees, families, investors, value-focused buyers, and households prioritising schools may find Aroona the better fit, while people chasing a beach lifestyle are more likely to prefer Caloundra.
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.