Overall score
Cairns City
56.5/100
Cairns North
52.0/100
Cairns City vs Cairns North, QLD suburb comparison
Cairns City for retirees and families; Cairns North for investment.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Visual comparison
Cairns CityCairns North
Crime rate
Cairns City
145.8 / 1k
Cairns North
146.0 / 1k
Nearby amenities
Cairns City
799
Cairns North
352
Population
Cairns City
3,616
Cairns North
5,334
Metric leadCairns City 6Cairns North 3across 9 compared metrics
Livability profile
Desirability pillars scored 0–100 vs comparable suburbs
Quick verdicts
Clearer edge on lifestyle fit (score gap ≥ 3)
- Best for retireesCairns City
- Best for familiesCairns City
- Best for beach lifestyleCairns City
- Best for investmentCairns North
- Best for best schoolsCairns City
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 | Cairns City | Cairns North |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 56.5/100 | 52.0/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 10.6/100 | 14.9/100 |
| Crime rate | 145.8 / 1k | 146.0 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | 6 | 5 |
| Parks & reserves | 5 | 7 |
| Walkability | 95.5/100 | 89.5/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 799 | 352 |
| Population | 3,616 | 5,334 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 8/10 | 4/10 |
Comparison summary
Put side by side, Cairns City is a beachside mid-sized suburb where the coast sets the tone, and Cairns North is a regional mid-sized suburb with local services and a more relaxed pace. Where Cairns City is shaped by the coast, Cairns North offers a more landlocked suburban rhythm.
Cairns City pulls ahead on a quieter safety profile and schools and education options, whereas Cairns North is the better pick for housing affordability and parks and reserves. Cairns City generally means more mid-market housing value, while Cairns North leans toward more sought-after housing.
Retirees and families may find Cairns City the better fit, while investors are more likely to prefer Cairns North.