Overall score
Cairns City
52.4/100
Townsville City
51.0/100
Cairns City vs Townsville City, QLD Suburb Comparison
Cairns City for retirees and families; Townsville City for investment and value.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Visual comparison
Cairns CityTownsville City
Crime rate
Cairns City
236.8 / 1k
Townsville City
309.4 / 1k
Nearby amenities
Cairns City
810
Townsville City
415
Population
Cairns City
3,616
Townsville City
2,945
Metric leadCairns City 6Townsville City 41 tiedacross 11 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 investmentTownsville City
- Best for best valueTownsville City
- 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 | Townsville City |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 52.4/100 | 51.0/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 10.9/100 | 54.6/100 |
| Crime rate | 236.8 / 1k | 309.4 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | 6 | 9 |
| Weather (desirability) | 11.8/100 | 19.8/100 |
| Parks & reserves | 5 | 5 |
| Walkability | 94.0/100 | 76.0/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 810 | 415 |
| Green cover | 5.3% | 3.4% |
| Population | 3,616 | 2,945 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 8/10 | 9/10 |
Comparison summary
Cairns City reads as a beachside mid-sized suburb where the coast sets the tone; Townsville City is a coastal mid-sized suburb shaped by beach life and outdoor living.
On the data, Cairns City is stronger for a quieter safety profile, walkability, and nearby cafés and amenities; Townsville City answers with housing affordability, schools and education options, and stronger socioeconomic advantage. Cairns City generally means housing toward the upper end of the market, while Townsville City leans toward more sought-after housing.
Cairns City suits families, people chasing a beach lifestyle, and households prioritising schools more clearly, whereas Townsville City 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.