Overall score
Mission Beach
58.9/100
Port Douglas
44.5/100
Mission Beach vs Port Douglas, QLD Suburb Comparison
Mission Beach for retirees and families; Port Douglas for beach lifestyle and schools.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Visual comparison
Mission BeachPort Douglas
Crime rate
Mission Beach
27.0 / 1k
Port Douglas
66.4 / 1k
Nearby amenities
Mission Beach
113
Port Douglas
58
Population
Mission Beach
1,014
Port Douglas
3,650
Metric leadMission Beach 6Port Douglas 4across 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 retireesMission Beach
- Best for familiesMission Beach
- Best for beach lifestylePort Douglas
- Best for investmentMission Beach
- Best for best schoolsPort Douglas
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 | Mission Beach | Port Douglas |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 58.9/100 | 44.5/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 51.4/100 | 52.9/100 |
| Crime rate | 27.0 / 1k | 66.4 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | — | 1 |
| Weather (desirability) | 9.6/100 | 7.6/100 |
| Parks & reserves | 2 | 7 |
| Walkability | 31.0/100 | 2.0/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 113 | 58 |
| Green cover | 39.3% | 7.7% |
| Population | 1,014 | 3,650 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 4/10 | 5/10 |
Comparison summary
Put side by side, Mission Beach is a regional hub with its own identity and everyday convenience, and Port Douglas is a beachside mid-sized suburb where the coast sets the tone. Where Port Douglas is shaped by the coast, Mission Beach offers a more landlocked suburban rhythm.
Mission Beach tends to lead on a quieter safety profile, walkability, and nearby cafés and amenities, while Port Douglas stands out for housing affordability, parks and reserves, and a larger local community.
Retirees and families may find Mission Beach the better fit, while people chasing a beach lifestyle, investors, value-focused buyers, and households prioritising schools are more likely to prefer Port Douglas.
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.