Overall score
Bowen
39.4/100
Mackay
56.8/100
Bowen vs Mackay, QLD suburb comparison
Bowen for retirees and investment.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Visual comparison
BowenMackay
Crime rate
Bowen
57.3 / 1k
Mackay
68.1 / 1k
Nearby amenities
Bowen
5
Mackay
385
Population
Bowen
11,205
Mackay
4,026
Metric leadBowen 4Mackay 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)
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.
Comparison summary
Bowen reads as a slower-paced established suburb with open surrounds; Mackay is a regional hub with its own identity and everyday convenience. Bowen sits further into the wider countryside, whereas Mackay is more regionally self-contained.
On the data, Bowen is stronger for housing affordability and a quieter safety profile; Mackay answers with schools and education options and walkability.
Choose Bowen if you are weighing retirees and investors; lean toward Mackay for households prioritising schools.