Overall score
Noosa Heads
63.7/100
Port Douglas
44.5/100
Noosa Heads vs Port Douglas, QLD Suburb Comparison
Noosa Heads for retirees and families.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Visual comparison
Noosa HeadsPort Douglas
Crime rate
Noosa Heads
54.9 / 1k
Port Douglas
66.4 / 1k
Nearby amenities
Noosa Heads
388
Port Douglas
58
Population
Noosa Heads
5,120
Port Douglas
3,650
Metric leadNoosa Heads 9Port Douglas 2across 11 compared metrics
Livability profile
Desirability pillars scored 0–100 vs comparable suburbs
Quick verdicts
Clearer edge on lifestyle fit (score gap ≥ 3)
- Best for retireesNoosa Heads
- Best for familiesNoosa Heads
- Best for beach lifestyleNoosa Heads
- Best for investmentNoosa Heads
- 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 | Port Douglas |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 63.7/100 | 44.5/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 42.3/100 | 52.9/100 |
| Crime rate | 54.9 / 1k | 66.4 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | 5 | 1 |
| Weather (desirability) | 37.3/100 | 7.6/100 |
| Parks & reserves | 10 | 7 |
| Public transport stops | 23 | — |
| Walkability | 100.0/100 | 2.0/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 388 | 58 |
| Green cover | 1.0% | 7.7% |
| Population | 5,120 | 3,650 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 9/10 | 5/10 |
Comparison summary
Noosa Heads reads as a coastal mid-sized suburb with an easy, sea-led rhythm; Port Douglas is a beachside mid-sized suburb where the coast sets the tone. Noosa Heads sits on a more distant stretch of coast, whereas Port Douglas is further into the wider countryside.
Noosa Heads tends to lead on a quieter safety profile, schools and education options, and parks and reserves, while Port Douglas stands out for housing affordability.
Choose Noosa Heads if you are weighing retirees, families, people chasing a beach lifestyle, and households prioritising schools; lean toward Port Douglas 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.