Overall score
Cairns City
56.5/100
Mareeba
44.4/100
Cairns City vs Mareeba, QLD suburb comparison
Cairns City for retirees and families; Mareeba for investment and value.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Visual comparison
Cairns CityMareeba
Crime rate
Cairns City
145.8 / 1k
Mareeba
93.6 / 1k
Nearby amenities
Cairns City
799
Mareeba
0
Population
Cairns City
3,616
Mareeba
11,825
Metric leadCairns City 5Mareeba 4across 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 investmentMareeba
- Best for best valueMareeba
- 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 | Mareeba |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 56.5/100 | 44.4/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 10.6/100 | 66.7/100 |
| Crime rate | 145.8 / 1k | 93.6 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | 6 | 4 |
| Parks & reserves | 5 | 14 |
| Walkability | 95.5/100 | 0.0/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 799 | 0 |
| Population | 3,616 | 11,825 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 8/10 | 2/10 |
Comparison summary
Cairns City is a beachside mid-sized suburb where the coast sets the tone, while Mareeba is a quieter established suburb with space and a country-town pace. Cairns City leans into coastal living, while Mareeba feels more inland and suburban in character.
Cairns City pulls ahead on walkability and nearby cafés and amenities, whereas Mareeba is the better pick for housing affordability and a quieter safety profile. On housing, Cairns City sits in a well priced band, compared with a affordable feel in Mareeba.
Cairns City suits retirees and families more clearly, whereas Mareeba is the stronger match for investors and value-focused buyers.