Overall score
Mackay
49.8/100
Townsville City
51.0/100
Mackay vs Townsville City, QLD Suburb Comparison
Mackay for retirees; Townsville City for beach lifestyle and value.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Visual comparison
MackayTownsville City
Crime rate
Mackay
108.6 / 1k
Townsville City
309.4 / 1k
Nearby amenities
Mackay
393
Townsville City
415
Population
Mackay
4,026
Townsville City
2,945
Metric leadMackay 5Townsville City 6across 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 retireesMackay
- Best for beach lifestyleTownsville City
- Best for best valueTownsville City
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 | Mackay | Townsville City |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 49.8/100 | 51.0/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 54.0/100 | 54.6/100 |
| Crime rate | 108.6 / 1k | 309.4 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | 6 | 9 |
| Weather (desirability) | 15.5/100 | 19.8/100 |
| Parks & reserves | 7 | 5 |
| Walkability | 80.5/100 | 76.0/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 393 | 415 |
| Green cover | 20.0% | 3.4% |
| Population | 4,026 | 2,945 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 2/10 | 9/10 |
Comparison summary
Mackay reads as a regional hub with its own identity and everyday convenience; Townsville City is a coastal mid-sized suburb shaped by beach life and outdoor living. Townsville City leans into coastal living, while Mackay feels more inland and suburban in character.
Mackay pulls ahead on a quieter safety profile, parks and reserves, and walkability, whereas Townsville City is the better pick for housing affordability, schools and education options, and nearby cafés and amenities. On housing, Mackay sits in a affordable band, compared with a expensive feel in Townsville City.
On balance, retirees, families, people chasing a beach lifestyle, investors, value-focused buyers, and households prioritising schools are more likely to prefer Townsville City, while Mackay 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.