Overall score
Byron Bay
57.9/100
Noosa Heads
63.7/100
Byron Bay vs Noosa Heads Suburb Comparison (NSW vs QLD)
Byron Bay for retirees and beach lifestyle; Noosa Heads for families and value.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Visual comparison
Byron BayNoosa Heads
Crime rate
Byron Bay
117.1 / 1k
Noosa Heads
54.9 / 1k
Nearby amenities
Byron Bay
354
Noosa Heads
388
Population
Byron Bay
6,330
Noosa Heads
5,120
Metric leadByron Bay 5Noosa Heads 52 tiedacross 12 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 familiesNoosa Heads
- Best for beach lifestyleByron Bay
- Best for investmentByron Bay
- Best for best valueNoosa Heads
- Best for best schoolsNoosa Heads
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 | Noosa Heads |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 57.9/100 | 63.7/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 49.9/100 | 42.3/100 |
| Crime rate | 117.1 / 1k | 54.9 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | 2 | 5 |
| Weather (desirability) | 47.5/100 | 37.3/100 |
| Parks & reserves | 10 | 10 |
| Public transport stops | 119 | 23 |
| Walkability | 100.0/100 | 100.0/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 354 | 388 |
| Planning activity | 130 | — |
| Green cover | 30.4% | 1.0% |
| Population | 6,330 | 5,120 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 8/10 | 9/10 |
Comparison summary
Byron Bay (NSW) is a beachside mid-sized suburb where the coast sets the tone, while Noosa Heads (QLD) is a coastal mid-sized suburb with an easy, sea-led rhythm.
On the data, Byron Bay is stronger for housing affordability, public transport access, and a larger local community; Noosa Heads answers with a quieter safety profile, schools and education options, and nearby cafés and amenities.
Choose Byron Bay if you are weighing investors; lean toward Noosa Heads for retirees, families, and households prioritising schools.
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.