Overall score
Cairns City
56.5/100
Yorkeys Knob
35.3/100
Cairns City vs Yorkeys Knob, QLD suburb comparison
Cairns City for families and beach lifestyle; Yorkeys Knob for investment and value.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Visual comparison
Cairns CityYorkeys Knob
Crime rate
Cairns City
145.8 / 1k
Yorkeys Knob
48.9 / 1k
Nearby amenities
Cairns City
799
Yorkeys Knob
4
Population
Cairns City
3,616
Yorkeys Knob
2,794
Metric leadCairns City 7Yorkeys Knob 2across 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 familiesCairns City
- Best for beach lifestyleCairns City
- Best for investmentYorkeys Knob
- Best for best valueYorkeys Knob
- 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 | Yorkeys Knob |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 56.5/100 | 35.3/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 10.6/100 | 42.4/100 |
| Crime rate | 145.8 / 1k | 48.9 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | 6 | 1 |
| Parks & reserves | 5 | 4 |
| Walkability | 95.5/100 | 3.0/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 799 | 4 |
| Planning activity | — | 1 |
| Population | 3,616 | 2,794 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 8/10 | 3/10 |
Comparison summary
Put side by side, Cairns City is a beachside mid-sized suburb where the coast sets the tone, and Yorkeys Knob is a quieter mid-sized suburb with space and a country-town pace. Where Cairns City is shaped by the coast, Yorkeys Knob offers a more landlocked suburban rhythm.
Cairns City tends to lead on schools and education options and parks and reserves, while Yorkeys Knob stands out for housing affordability and a quieter safety profile. Cairns City generally means more mid-market housing value, while Yorkeys Knob leans toward more approachable housing costs.
Cairns City suits families and people chasing a beach lifestyle more clearly, whereas Yorkeys Knob is the stronger match for investors and value-focused buyers.