Overall score
Coolum Beach
61.3/100
Mount Coolum
53.4/100
Coolum Beach vs Mount Coolum, QLD suburb comparison
Coolum Beach for beach lifestyle and schools; Mount Coolum for families and investment.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Visual comparison
Coolum BeachMount Coolum
Crime rate
Coolum Beach
11.5 / 1k
Mount Coolum
11.5 / 1k
Nearby amenities
Coolum Beach
38
Mount Coolum
45
Population
Coolum Beach
9,152
Mount Coolum
4,545
Metric leadCoolum Beach 5Mount Coolum 22 tiedacross 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 familiesMount Coolum
- Best for beach lifestyleCoolum Beach
- Best for investmentMount Coolum
- Best for best valueMount Coolum
- Best for best schoolsCoolum 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 | Coolum Beach | Mount Coolum |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 61.3/100 | 53.4/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 47.8/100 | 67.2/100 |
| Crime rate | 11.5 / 1k | 11.5 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | 1 | — |
| Parks & reserves | 16 | 8 |
| Public transport stops | 27 | 8 |
| Walkability | 74.0/100 | 41.0/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 38 | 45 |
| Population | 9,152 | 4,545 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 7/10 | 7/10 |
Comparison summary
Put side by side, Coolum Beach is a coastal established suburb with an easy, sea-led rhythm, and Mount Coolum is a coastal mid-sized suburb shaped by beach life and outdoor living. Mount Coolum sits among greener hillside streets, while Coolum Beach keeps a flatter suburban layout.
On the data, Coolum Beach is stronger for parks and reserves and public transport access; Mount Coolum answers with housing affordability and a quieter safety profile.
Choose Coolum Beach if you are weighing people chasing a beach lifestyle and households prioritising schools; lean toward Mount Coolum for families and investors.