Overall score
Palm Cove
59.5/100
Port Douglas
44.5/100
Palm Cove vs Port Douglas, QLD Suburb Comparison
Palm Cove for retirees and families; Port Douglas for schools.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Visual comparison
Palm CovePort Douglas
Crime rate
Palm Cove
44.5 / 1k
Port Douglas
66.4 / 1k
Nearby amenities
Palm Cove
139
Port Douglas
58
Population
Palm Cove
2,450
Port Douglas
3,650
Metric leadPalm Cove 7Port Douglas 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 beach lifestylePalm Cove
- Best for best valuePalm Cove
- 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 | Palm Cove | Port Douglas |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 59.5/100 | 44.5/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 52.0/100 | 52.9/100 |
| Crime rate | 44.5 / 1k | 66.4 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | — | 1 |
| Weather (desirability) | 11.8/100 | 7.6/100 |
| Parks & reserves | 3 | 7 |
| Walkability | 55.5/100 | 2.0/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 139 | 58 |
| Green cover | 38.1% | 7.7% |
| Population | 2,450 | 3,650 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 7/10 | 5/10 |
Comparison summary
Palm Cove reads as a coastal smaller community with an easy, sea-led rhythm; Port Douglas is a beachside mid-sized suburb where the coast sets the tone.
Palm Cove pulls ahead on a quieter safety profile, walkability, and nearby cafés and amenities, whereas Port Douglas is the better pick for housing affordability, parks and reserves, and a larger local community.
Families and people chasing a beach lifestyle may find Palm Cove the better fit, while 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.