Overall score
Maroochydore
51.0/100
Mooloolaba
60.0/100
Maroochydore vs Mooloolaba, QLD Suburb Comparison
Maroochydore for value; Mooloolaba for families and beach lifestyle.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Visual comparison
MaroochydoreMooloolaba
Crime rate
Maroochydore
122.2 / 1k
Mooloolaba
48.1 / 1k
Nearby amenities
Maroochydore
566
Mooloolaba
240
Population
Maroochydore
20,629
Mooloolaba
8,202
Metric leadMaroochydore 6Mooloolaba 42 tiedacross 12 compared metrics
Livability profile
Desirability pillars scored 0–100 vs comparable suburbs
Quick verdicts
Clearer edge on lifestyle fit (score gap ≥ 3)
- Best for familiesMooloolaba
- Best for beach lifestyleMooloolaba
- Best for investmentMooloolaba
- Best for best valueMaroochydore
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 | Maroochydore | Mooloolaba |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 51.0/100 | 60.0/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 63.9/100 | 56.3/100 |
| Crime rate | 122.2 / 1k | 48.1 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | 4 | 3 |
| Weather (desirability) | 31.2/100 | 31.2/100 |
| Parks & reserves | 63 | 24 |
| Public transport stops | 59 | 31 |
| Walkability | 100.0/100 | 100.0/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 566 | 240 |
| Green cover | 7.7% | 7.9% |
| Population | 20,629 | 8,202 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 6/10 | 7/10 |
Comparison summary
Put side by side, Maroochydore is a coastal established suburb with an easy, sea-led rhythm, and Mooloolaba is a coastal established suburb shaped by beach life and outdoor living.
Maroochydore pulls ahead on housing affordability, schools and education options, and parks and reserves, whereas Mooloolaba is the better pick for a quieter safety profile and stronger socioeconomic advantage.
Choose Maroochydore if you are weighing people chasing a beach lifestyle, investors, value-focused buyers, and households prioritising schools; lean toward Mooloolaba for retirees.
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.