Overall score
Coolum Beach
61.3/100
Noosa Heads
66.0/100
Coolum Beach vs Noosa Heads, QLD suburb comparison
Coolum Beach for investment and value; Noosa Heads for families and beach lifestyle.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Visual comparison
Coolum BeachNoosa Heads
Crime rate
Coolum Beach
11.5 / 1k
Noosa Heads
30.9 / 1k
Nearby amenities
Coolum Beach
38
Noosa Heads
352
Population
Coolum Beach
9,152
Noosa Heads
5,120
Metric leadCoolum Beach 5Noosa Heads 5across 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 familiesNoosa Heads
- Best for beach lifestyleNoosa Heads
- Best for investmentCoolum Beach
- Best for best valueCoolum Beach
- Best for best schoolsNoosa Heads
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 | Noosa Heads |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 61.3/100 | 66.0/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 47.8/100 | 10.6/100 |
| Crime rate | 11.5 / 1k | 30.9 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | 1 | 5 |
| Parks & reserves | 16 | 10 |
| Public transport stops | 27 | 23 |
| Walkability | 74.0/100 | 100.0/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 38 | 352 |
| Population | 9,152 | 5,120 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 7/10 | 9/10 |
Comparison summary
Coolum Beach reads as a coastal established suburb with an easy, sea-led rhythm; Noosa Heads is a coastal mid-sized suburb with an easy, sea-led rhythm.
Coolum Beach tends to lead on housing affordability and a quieter safety profile, while Noosa Heads stands out for walkability and nearby cafés and amenities.
Investors and value-focused buyers may find Coolum Beach the better fit, while families and people chasing a beach lifestyle are more likely to prefer Noosa Heads.