Overall score
Cairns City
56.5/100
Kuranda
36.5/100
Cairns City vs Kuranda, QLD suburb comparison
Cairns City for retirees and families; Kuranda for investment and value.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Visual comparison
Cairns CityKuranda
Crime rate
Cairns City
145.8 / 1k
Kuranda
67.3 / 1k
Nearby amenities
Cairns City
799
Kuranda
1
Population
Cairns City
3,616
Kuranda
3,273
Metric leadCairns City 6Kuranda 21 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 investmentKuranda
- Best for best valueKuranda
- 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 | Kuranda |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 56.5/100 | 36.5/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 10.6/100 | 62.0/100 |
| Crime rate | 145.8 / 1k | 67.3 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | 6 | 2 |
| Parks & reserves | 5 | 5 |
| Walkability | 95.5/100 | 0.0/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 799 | 1 |
| Population | 3,616 | 3,273 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 8/10 | 3/10 |
Comparison summary
Cairns City is a beachside mid-sized suburb where the coast sets the tone, while Kuranda is a slower-paced mid-sized suburb with open surrounds. Cairns City leans into coastal living, while Kuranda feels more inland and suburban in character.
Cairns City pulls ahead on schools and education options and walkability, whereas Kuranda is the better pick for housing affordability and a quieter safety profile. Cairns City generally means more mid-market housing value, while Kuranda leans toward more approachable housing costs.
Cairns City suits retirees and families more clearly, whereas Kuranda is the stronger match for investors and value-focused buyers.