Overall score
Cooktown
33.0/100
Port Douglas
46.4/100
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
95.4 / 1k
Port Douglas
38.5 / 1k
Nearby amenities
Cooktown
0
Port Douglas
55
Population
Cooktown
2,746
Port Douglas
3,650
Metric leadCooktown 1Port Douglas 8across 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 retireesPort Douglas
- Best for familiesPort Douglas
- Best for beach lifestylePort Douglas
- Best for investmentPort 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 | 33.0/100 | 46.4/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 26.5/100 | 31.7/100 |
| Crime rate | 95.4 / 1k | 38.5 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | 3 | 1 |
| Parks & reserves | 3 | 7 |
| Walkability | 0.0/100 | 2.0/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 0 | 55 |
| Population | 2,746 | 3,650 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 2/10 | 5/10 |
Comparison summary
Cooktown reads as a quieter mid-sized suburb with space and a country-town pace; 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 and a quieter safety profile. Cooktown generally means more approachable housing costs, while Port Douglas leans toward more sought-after housing.
On balance, retirees and families are more likely to prefer Port Douglas, while Cooktown remains a solid alternative depending on what matters most day to day.