Overall score
Clear Island Waters
43.8/100
Mermaid Beach
57.7/100
Clear Island Waters vs Mermaid Beach, QLD suburb comparison
Clear Island Waters for retirees and families; Mermaid Beach for beach lifestyle and schools.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Visual comparison
Clear Island WatersMermaid Beach
Crime rate
Clear Island Waters
25.9 / 1k
Mermaid Beach
77.8 / 1k
Nearby amenities
Clear Island Waters
47
Mermaid Beach
792
Population
Clear Island Waters
4,395
Mermaid Beach
7,329
Metric leadClear Island Waters 2Mermaid Beach 71 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 retireesClear Island Waters
- Best for familiesClear Island Waters
- Best for beach lifestyleMermaid Beach
- Best for investmentClear Island Waters
- Best for best schoolsMermaid Beach
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 | Clear Island Waters | Mermaid Beach |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 43.8/100 | 57.7/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 45.6/100 | 33.5/100 |
| Crime rate | 25.9 / 1k | 77.8 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | 2 | 3 |
| Parks & reserves | 20 | 30 |
| Public transport stops | 3 | 5 |
| Walkability | 6.5/100 | 77.5/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 47 | 792 |
| Population | 4,395 | 7,329 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 9/10 | 9/10 |
Comparison summary
Clear Island Waters reads as an energetic metro mid-sized suburb where cafés and local life overlap; Mermaid Beach is a coastal mid-sized suburb with an easy, sea-led rhythm. Where Mermaid Beach is shaped by the coast, Clear Island Waters offers a more landlocked suburban rhythm.
Clear Island Waters pulls ahead on housing affordability and a quieter safety profile, whereas Mermaid Beach is the better pick for parks and reserves and public transport access.
Choose Clear Island Waters if you are weighing retirees and families; lean toward Mermaid Beach for people chasing a beach lifestyle.