Overall score
Emerald
42.6/100
Rockhampton City
54.8/100
Emerald vs Rockhampton City, QLD suburb comparison
Emerald for retirees and families.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Visual comparison
EmeraldRockhampton City
Crime rate
Emerald
60.7 / 1k
Rockhampton City
165.6 / 1k
Nearby amenities
Emerald
0
Rockhampton City
269
Population
Emerald
14,904
Rockhampton City
2,059
Metric leadEmerald 6Rockhampton City 3across 9 compared metrics
Livability profile
Desirability pillars scored 0–100 vs comparable suburbs
Quick verdicts
Clearer edge on lifestyle fit (score gap ≥ 3)
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 | Emerald | Rockhampton City |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 42.6/100 | 54.8/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 27.1/100 | 19.6/100 |
| Crime rate | 60.7 / 1k | 165.6 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | 10 | 9 |
| Parks & reserves | 27 | 10 |
| Walkability | 0.0/100 | 79.0/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 0 | 269 |
| Population | 14,904 | 2,059 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 5/10 | 1/10 |
Comparison summary
Put side by side, Emerald is a slower-paced established suburb with open surrounds, and Rockhampton City is a regional smaller community that feels self-contained without feeling remote. Emerald sits further into the wider countryside, whereas Rockhampton City is more regionally self-contained.
Emerald tends to lead on housing affordability and a quieter safety profile, while Rockhampton City stands out for walkability and nearby cafés and amenities. On housing, Emerald sits in a expensive band, compared with a affordable feel in Rockhampton City.
On balance, retirees and families are more likely to prefer Emerald, while Rockhampton City remains a solid alternative depending on what matters most day to day.