Overall score
Noosa Heads
63.7/100
Sunshine Beach
52.8/100
Noosa Heads vs Sunshine Beach, 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 HeadsSunshine Beach
Crime rate
Noosa Heads
54.9 / 1k
Sunshine Beach
55.0 / 1k
Nearby amenities
Noosa Heads
388
Sunshine Beach
65
Population
Noosa Heads
5,120
Sunshine Beach
2,480
Metric leadNoosa Heads 7Sunshine Beach 14 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 retireesNoosa Heads
- Best for familiesNoosa Heads
- Best for investmentNoosa Heads
- Best for best valueNoosa 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 | Sunshine Beach |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 63.7/100 | 52.8/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 42.3/100 | 42.3/100 |
| Crime rate | 54.9 / 1k | 55.0 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | 5 | 5 |
| Weather (desirability) | 37.3/100 | 37.3/100 |
| Parks & reserves | 10 | 3 |
| Public transport stops | 23 | 15 |
| Walkability | 100.0/100 | 59.5/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 388 | 65 |
| Green cover | 1.0% | 2.2% |
| Population | 5,120 | 2,480 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 9/10 | 9/10 |
Comparison summary
Noosa Heads reads as a coastal mid-sized suburb with an easy, sea-led rhythm; Sunshine Beach is a coastal smaller community shaped by beach life and outdoor living.
Noosa Heads tends to lead on parks and reserves, public transport access, and walkability, while Sunshine Beach stands out for a quieter safety profile.
On balance, people chasing a beach lifestyle and value-focused buyers are more likely to prefer Noosa Heads, while Sunshine Beach remains a solid alternative depending on what matters most day to day.
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.