Overall score
Cairns City
56.5/100
Innisfail
49.4/100
Cairns City vs Innisfail, QLD suburb comparison
Cairns City for retirees and families; Innisfail for investment and value.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Visual comparison
Cairns CityInnisfail
Crime rate
Cairns City
145.8 / 1k
Innisfail
91.1 / 1k
Nearby amenities
Cairns City
799
Innisfail
114
Population
Cairns City
3,616
Innisfail
1,091
Metric leadCairns City 5Innisfail 31 tiedacross 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 investmentInnisfail
- Best for best valueInnisfail
- 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 | Innisfail |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 56.5/100 | 49.4/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 10.6/100 | 37.1/100 |
| Crime rate | 145.8 / 1k | 91.1 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | 6 | 6 |
| Parks & reserves | 5 | 6 |
| Walkability | 95.5/100 | 61.0/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 799 | 114 |
| Population | 3,616 | 1,091 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 8/10 | 1/10 |
Comparison summary
Cairns City reads as a beachside mid-sized suburb where the coast sets the tone; Innisfail is a regional hub with its own identity and everyday convenience. Where Cairns City is shaped by the coast, Innisfail offers a more landlocked suburban rhythm.
Cairns City tends to lead on walkability and nearby cafés and amenities, while Innisfail stands out for housing affordability and a quieter safety profile. Cairns City generally means more mid-market housing value, while Innisfail leans toward more approachable housing costs.
Retirees and families may find Cairns City the better fit, while investors and value-focused buyers are more likely to prefer Innisfail.