Overall score
Cairns City
52.4/100
Palm Cove
59.5/100
Cairns City vs Palm Cove, QLD Suburb Comparison
Cairns City for beach lifestyle and schools; Palm Cove for families and value.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Visual comparison
Cairns CityPalm Cove
Crime rate
Cairns City
236.8 / 1k
Palm Cove
44.5 / 1k
Nearby amenities
Cairns City
810
Palm Cove
139
Population
Cairns City
3,616
Palm Cove
2,450
Metric leadCairns City 5Palm Cove 41 tiedacross 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 familiesPalm Cove
- Best for beach lifestyleCairns City
- 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 | 52.4/100 | 59.5/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 10.9/100 | 52.0/100 |
| Crime rate | 236.8 / 1k | 44.5 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | 6 | — |
| Weather (desirability) | 11.8/100 | 11.8/100 |
| Parks & reserves | 5 | 3 |
| Walkability | 94.0/100 | 55.5/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 810 | 139 |
| Green cover | 5.3% | 38.1% |
| 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, walkability, and nearby cafés and amenities, while Palm Cove stands out for housing affordability and a quieter safety profile. On housing, Cairns City sits in a gently premium 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, investors, and value-focused buyers.
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.