Overall score
Cairns City
52.4/100
Mission Beach
58.9/100
Cairns City vs Mission Beach, QLD Suburb Comparison
Cairns City for beach lifestyle and schools; Mission Beach for retirees and families.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Visual comparison
Cairns CityMission Beach
Crime rate
Cairns City
236.8 / 1k
Mission Beach
27.0 / 1k
Nearby amenities
Cairns City
810
Mission Beach
113
Population
Cairns City
3,616
Mission Beach
1,014
Metric leadCairns City 6Mission Beach 4across 10 compared metrics
Livability profile
Desirability pillars scored 0–100 vs comparable suburbs
Quick verdicts
Clearer edge on lifestyle fit (score gap ≥ 3)
- Best for retireesMission Beach
- Best for familiesMission Beach
- Best for beach lifestyleCairns City
- Best for investmentMission Beach
- Best for best valueMission Beach
- 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 | Mission Beach |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 52.4/100 | 58.9/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 10.9/100 | 51.4/100 |
| Crime rate | 236.8 / 1k | 27.0 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | 6 | — |
| Weather (desirability) | 11.8/100 | 9.6/100 |
| Parks & reserves | 5 | 2 |
| Walkability | 94.0/100 | 31.0/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 810 | 113 |
| Green cover | 5.3% | 39.3% |
| Population | 3,616 | 1,014 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 8/10 | 4/10 |
Comparison summary
Cairns City is a beachside mid-sized suburb where the coast sets the tone, while Mission Beach is a regional hub with its own identity and everyday convenience. Where Cairns City is shaped by the coast, Mission Beach offers a more landlocked suburban rhythm.
Cairns City pulls ahead on parks and reserves, walkability, and nearby cafés and amenities, whereas Mission Beach is the better pick for housing affordability and a quieter safety profile. On housing, Cairns City sits in a gently premium band, compared with a expensive feel in Mission Beach.
Cairns City suits people chasing a beach lifestyle and households prioritising schools more clearly, whereas Mission Beach is the stronger match for retirees, families, and investors.
Generated from the official metrics on this page. It can omit nuance or contain errors — check the tables and source notes before relying on it.