Overall score
Cairns City
56.5/100
Manunda
49.9/100
Cairns City for retirees and families; Manunda for investment and value.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Overall score
Cairns City
56.5/100
Manunda
49.9/100
Crime rate
Cairns City
145.8 / 1k
Manunda
146.0 / 1k
Nearby amenities
Cairns City
799
Manunda
161
Population
Cairns City
3,616
Manunda
5,191
Desirability pillars scored 0–100 vs comparable suburbs
Clearer edge on lifestyle fit (score gap ≥ 3)
Who each suburb suits — composite scores out of 100
Side-by-side scores for every compared metric.
Exact figures for every metric — winner highlighted in bold.
| Category | Cairns City | Manunda |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 56.5/100 | 49.9/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 10.6/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Crime rate | 145.8 / 1k | 146.0 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | 6 | 7 |
| Parks & reserves | 5 | 10 |
| Walkability | 95.5/100 | 55.0/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 799 | 161 |
| Population | 3,616 | 5,191 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 8/10 | 1/10 |
Cairns City is a beachside mid-sized suburb where the coast sets the tone, while Manunda is a regional hub with its own identity and everyday convenience. Cairns City leans into coastal living, while Manunda feels more inland and suburban in character.
Cairns City pulls ahead on a quieter safety profile and walkability, whereas Manunda is the better pick for housing affordability and schools and education options. On housing, Cairns City sits in a well priced band, compared with a affordable feel in Manunda.
Choose Cairns City if you are weighing retirees and families; lean toward Manunda for investors and value-focused buyers.