Overall score
Maroochydore
71.4/100
Surfers Paradise
56.4/100
Maroochydore vs Surfers Paradise, QLD suburb comparison
Maroochydore for retirees and families.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Visual comparison
MaroochydoreSurfers Paradise
Crime rate
Maroochydore
73.7 / 1k
Surfers Paradise
98.1 / 1k
Nearby amenities
Maroochydore
539
Surfers Paradise
1,373
Population
Maroochydore
20,629
Surfers Paradise
26,412
Metric leadMaroochydore 4Surfers Paradise 42 tiedacross 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 retireesMaroochydore
- Best for familiesMaroochydore
- Best for beach lifestyleMaroochydore
- Best for investmentMaroochydore
- Best for best valueMaroochydore
- Best for best schoolsMaroochydore
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 | Surfers Paradise |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 71.4/100 | 56.4/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 53.8/100 | 23.3/100 |
| Crime rate | 73.7 / 1k | 98.1 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | 4 | 1 |
| Parks & reserves | 63 | 71 |
| Public transport stops | 59 | 60 |
| Walkability | 100.0/100 | 100.0/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 539 | 1,373 |
| Population | 20,629 | 26,412 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 6/10 | 6/10 |
Comparison summary
Put side by side, Maroochydore is a coastal established suburb with an easy, sea-led rhythm, and Surfers Paradise is a beachside larger suburb where the coast sets the tone. Maroochydore sits on a more distant stretch of coast, whereas Surfers Paradise is firmly coastal.
Maroochydore pulls ahead on housing affordability and a quieter safety profile, whereas Surfers Paradise is the better pick for parks and reserves and public transport access.
On balance, retirees and families are more likely to prefer Maroochydore, while Surfers Paradise remains a solid alternative depending on what matters most day to day.