Overall score
Cairns City
56.5/100
Palm Cove
51.0/100
Cairns City vs Palm Cove, QLD suburb comparison
Cairns City for beach lifestyle and schools; Palm Cove for retirees and investment.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Visual comparison
Cairns CityPalm Cove
Crime rate
Cairns City
145.8 / 1k
Palm Cove
25.7 / 1k
Nearby amenities
Cairns City
799
Palm Cove
131
Population
Cairns City
3,616
Palm Cove
2,450
Metric leadCairns City 6Palm Cove 2across 8 compared metrics
Livability profile
Desirability pillars scored 0–100 vs comparable suburbs
Quick verdicts
Clearer edge on lifestyle fit (score gap ≥ 3)
- Best for retireesPalm Cove
- Best for beach lifestyleCairns City
- Best for investmentPalm Cove
- Best for best valuePalm Cove
- 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 | Palm Cove |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 56.5/100 | 51.0/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 10.6/100 | 29.9/100 |
| Crime rate | 145.8 / 1k | 25.7 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | 6 | — |
| Parks & reserves | 5 | 3 |
| Walkability | 95.5/100 | 55.5/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 799 | 131 |
| Population | 3,616 | 2,450 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 8/10 | 7/10 |
Comparison summary
Cairns City is a beachside mid-sized suburb where the coast sets the tone, while Palm Cove is a coastal smaller community with an easy, sea-led rhythm.
Cairns City tends to lead on parks and reserves and walkability, while Palm Cove stands out for housing affordability and a quieter safety profile. On housing, Cairns City sits in a well priced band, compared with a expensive feel in Palm Cove.
Cairns City suits people chasing a beach lifestyle and households prioritising schools more clearly, whereas Palm Cove is the stronger match for retirees and families.