Overall score
Clifton Beach
53.4/100
Palm Cove
51.0/100
Clifton Beach for investment and value; Palm Cove for families and beach lifestyle.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Overall score
Clifton Beach
53.4/100
Palm Cove
51.0/100
Crime rate
Clifton Beach
26.0 / 1k
Palm Cove
25.7 / 1k
Nearby amenities
Clifton Beach
79
Palm Cove
131
Population
Clifton Beach
3,192
Palm Cove
2,450
Desirability pillars scored 0–100 vs comparable suburbs
Clearer edge on lifestyle fit (score gap ≥ 3)
Who each suburb suits — composite scores out of 100
Side-by-side scores for every compared metric.
Exact figures for every metric — winner highlighted in bold.
| Category | Clifton Beach | Palm Cove |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 53.4/100 | 51.0/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 44.1/100 | 29.9/100 |
| Crime rate | 26.0 / 1k | 25.7 / 1k |
| Parks & reserves | 4 | 3 |
| Walkability | 72.0/100 | 55.5/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 79 | 131 |
| Population | 3,192 | 2,450 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 7/10 | 7/10 |
Clifton Beach reads as a beachside mid-sized suburb where the coast sets the tone; Palm Cove is a coastal smaller community with an easy, sea-led rhythm.
On the data, Clifton Beach is stronger for housing affordability and a quieter safety profile; Palm Cove answers with nearby cafés and amenities.
Clifton Beach suits retirees and investors more clearly, whereas Palm Cove is the stronger match for families and people chasing a beach lifestyle.