Overall score
Cooktown
28.2/100
Port Douglas
44.5/100
Cooktown vs Port Douglas, QLD Suburb Comparison
Port Douglas for retirees and families.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Visual comparison
CooktownPort Douglas
Crime rate
Cooktown
160.8 / 1k
Port Douglas
66.4 / 1k
Nearby amenities
Cooktown
36
Port Douglas
58
Population
Cooktown
2,746
Port Douglas
3,650
Metric leadCooktown 2Port Douglas 9across 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 retireesPort Douglas
- Best for familiesPort Douglas
- Best for beach lifestylePort Douglas
- Best for best valuePort Douglas
- Best for best schoolsPort Douglas
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 | Cooktown | Port Douglas |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 28.2/100 | 44.5/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 42.9/100 | 52.9/100 |
| Crime rate | 160.8 / 1k | 66.4 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | 3 | 1 |
| Weather (desirability) | 10.5/100 | 7.6/100 |
| Parks & reserves | 3 | 7 |
| Walkability | 0.0/100 | 2.0/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 36 | 58 |
| Green cover | 0.7% | 7.7% |
| Population | 2,746 | 3,650 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 2/10 | 5/10 |
Comparison summary
Cooktown reads as a regional mid-sized suburb that feels self-contained without feeling remote; Port Douglas is a beachside mid-sized suburb where the coast sets the tone. Port Douglas leans into coastal living, while Cooktown feels more inland and suburban in character.
Cooktown tends to lead on schools and education options, while Port Douglas stands out for housing affordability, a quieter safety profile, and parks and reserves. Cooktown generally means more approachable housing costs, while Port Douglas leans toward more sought-after housing.
On balance, retirees, families, people chasing a beach lifestyle, investors, value-focused buyers, and households prioritising schools are more likely to prefer Port Douglas, while Cooktown remains a solid alternative depending on what matters most day to day.
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.