Overall score
Cairns City
56.5/100
Townsville City
53.4/100
Cairns City vs Townsville City, QLD suburb comparison
Cairns City for families and beach lifestyle; Townsville City for retirees and investment.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Visual comparison
Cairns CityTownsville City
Crime rate
Cairns City
145.8 / 1k
Townsville City
190.5 / 1k
Nearby amenities
Cairns City
799
Townsville City
415
Population
Cairns City
3,616
Townsville City
2,945
Metric leadCairns City 5Townsville City 31 tiedacross 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 retireesTownsville City
- Best for familiesCairns City
- Best for beach lifestyleCairns 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 | 56.5/100 | 53.4/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 10.6/100 | 35.1/100 |
| Crime rate | 145.8 / 1k | 190.5 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | 6 | 9 |
| Parks & reserves | 5 | 5 |
| Walkability | 95.5/100 | 76.0/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 799 | 415 |
| 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 and walkability; Townsville City answers with housing affordability and stronger socioeconomic advantage. Cairns City generally means more mid-market housing value, while Townsville City leans toward more sought-after housing.
Cairns City suits families and people chasing a beach lifestyle more clearly, whereas Townsville City is the stronger match for retirees and investors.