Overall score
Cairns City
56.5/100
Smithfield
75.2/100
Cairns City vs Smithfield, QLD suburb comparison
Cairns City for beach lifestyle and schools; Smithfield for retirees and families.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Visual comparison
Cairns CitySmithfield
Crime rate
Cairns City
150.7 / 1k
Smithfield
50.5 / 1k
Nearby amenities
Cairns City
799
Smithfield
177
Population
Cairns City
3,616
Smithfield
6,664
Metric leadCairns City 4Smithfield 5across 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 retireesSmithfield
- Best for familiesSmithfield
- Best for beach lifestyleCairns City
- Best for investmentSmithfield
- Best for best valueSmithfield
- 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 | Smithfield |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 56.5/100 | 75.2/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 10.6/100 | 91.7/100 |
| Crime rate | 150.7 / 1k | 50.5 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | 6 | 3 |
| Parks & reserves | 5 | 7 |
| Walkability | 95.5/100 | 80.5/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 799 | 177 |
| Population | 3,616 | 6,664 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 8/10 | 7/10 |
Comparison summary
Cairns City is a beachside mid-sized suburb where the coast sets the tone, while Smithfield is a regional mid-sized suburb that feels self-contained without feeling remote. Where Cairns City is shaped by the coast, Smithfield offers a more landlocked suburban rhythm.
Cairns City tends to lead on schools and education options and walkability, while Smithfield stands out for housing affordability and a quieter safety profile. Cairns City generally means more mid-market housing value, while Smithfield leans toward more sought-after housing.
Choose Cairns City if you are weighing people chasing a beach lifestyle and households prioritising schools; lean toward Smithfield for retirees and families.