Overall score
Marcoola
38.1/100
Mount Coolum
53.4/100
Marcoola vs Mount Coolum, QLD suburb comparison
Mount Coolum for retirees and families.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Visual comparison
MarcoolaMount Coolum
Crime rate
Marcoola
26.9 / 1k
Mount Coolum
11.5 / 1k
Nearby amenities
Marcoola
2
Mount Coolum
45
Population
Marcoola
3,355
Mount Coolum
4,545
Metric leadMarcoola 2Mount Coolum 7across 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 retireesMount Coolum
- Best for familiesMount Coolum
- Best for beach lifestyleMount Coolum
- Best for investmentMount Coolum
- Best for best valueMount Coolum
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 | Marcoola | Mount Coolum |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 38.1/100 | 53.4/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 41.6/100 | 67.2/100 |
| Crime rate | 26.9 / 1k | 11.5 / 1k |
| Parks & reserves | 9 | 8 |
| Public transport stops | 21 | 8 |
| Walkability | 30.0/100 | 41.0/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 2 | 45 |
| Planning activity | 1 | — |
| Population | 3,355 | 4,545 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 5/10 | 7/10 |
Comparison summary
Put side by side, Marcoola is a coastal mid-sized suburb shaped by beach life and outdoor living, and Mount Coolum is a coastal mid-sized suburb shaped by beach life and outdoor living. Mount Coolum sits among greener hillside streets, while Marcoola keeps a flatter suburban layout.
Marcoola tends to lead on parks and reserves and public transport access, while Mount Coolum stands out for housing affordability and a quieter safety profile.
On balance, retirees and families are more likely to prefer Mount Coolum, while Marcoola remains a solid alternative depending on what matters most day to day.