Overall score
Noosa Heads
63.7/100
Palm Cove
59.5/100
Noosa Heads vs Palm Cove, QLD Suburb Comparison
Noosa Heads for investment and schools; Palm Cove for retirees and families.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Visual comparison
Noosa HeadsPalm Cove
Crime rate
Noosa Heads
54.9 / 1k
Palm Cove
44.5 / 1k
Nearby amenities
Noosa Heads
388
Palm Cove
139
Population
Noosa Heads
5,120
Palm Cove
2,450
Metric leadNoosa Heads 7Palm Cove 3across 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 retireesPalm Cove
- Best for familiesPalm Cove
- Best for investmentNoosa Heads
- Best for best valuePalm Cove
- Best for best schoolsNoosa Heads
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 | Noosa Heads | Palm Cove |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 63.7/100 | 59.5/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 42.3/100 | 52.0/100 |
| Crime rate | 54.9 / 1k | 44.5 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | 5 | — |
| Weather (desirability) | 37.3/100 | 11.8/100 |
| Parks & reserves | 10 | 3 |
| Public transport stops | 23 | — |
| Walkability | 100.0/100 | 55.5/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 388 | 139 |
| Green cover | 1.0% | 38.1% |
| Population | 5,120 | 2,450 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 9/10 | 7/10 |
Comparison summary
Noosa Heads reads as a coastal mid-sized suburb with an easy, sea-led rhythm; Palm Cove is a coastal smaller community with an easy, sea-led rhythm. Noosa Heads sits on a more distant stretch of coast, whereas Palm Cove is further into the wider countryside.
Noosa Heads tends to lead on parks and reserves, walkability, and nearby cafés and amenities, while Palm Cove stands out for housing affordability and a quieter safety profile.
Noosa Heads suits retirees, families, people chasing a beach lifestyle, and households prioritising schools more clearly, whereas Palm Cove is the stronger match for investors.
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.