Overall score
Byron Bay
57.9/100
Cairns City
52.4/100
Byron Bay vs Cairns City Suburb Comparison (NSW vs QLD)
Byron Bay for retirees and investment; Cairns City for families and beach lifestyle.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Visual comparison
Byron BayCairns City
Crime rate
Byron Bay
117.1 / 1k
Cairns City
236.8 / 1k
Nearby amenities
Byron Bay
354
Cairns City
810
Population
Byron Bay
6,330
Cairns City
3,616
Metric leadByron Bay 8Cairns City 21 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 retireesByron Bay
- Best for familiesCairns City
- Best for beach lifestyleCairns City
- Best for investmentByron Bay
- Best for best valueCairns City
- Best for best schoolsByron Bay
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 | Byron Bay | Cairns City |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 57.9/100 | 52.4/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 49.9/100 | 10.9/100 |
| Crime rate | 117.1 / 1k | 236.8 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | 2 | 6 |
| Weather (desirability) | 47.5/100 | 11.8/100 |
| Parks & reserves | 10 | 5 |
| Public transport stops | 119 | — |
| Walkability | 100.0/100 | 94.0/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 354 | 810 |
| Planning activity | 130 | — |
| Green cover | 30.4% | 5.3% |
| Population | 6,330 | 3,616 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 8/10 | 8/10 |
Comparison summary
Across states, Byron Bay is a beachside mid-sized suburb where the coast sets the tone, whereas Cairns City is a beachside mid-sized suburb where the coast sets the tone. Byron Bay sits on a more distant stretch of coast, whereas Cairns City is further into the wider countryside.
Byron Bay pulls ahead on housing affordability, a quieter safety profile, and parks and reserves, whereas Cairns City is the better pick for schools and education options, nearby cafés and amenities, and overall desirability. On housing, Byron Bay sits in a expensive band, compared with a gently premium feel in Cairns City.
Investors and value-focused buyers may find Byron Bay the better fit, while families and households prioritising schools are more likely to prefer Cairns City.
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.