Overall score
Townsville City
53.4/100
Rockingham
64.2/100
Townsville City for retirees; Rockingham for families and investment.
See which suburb leads on livability, safety, schools, and lifestyle.
Head to head
Overall score
Townsville City
53.4/100
Rockingham
64.2/100
Crime rate
Townsville City
190.5 / 1k
Rockingham
877.4 / 1k
Nearby amenities
Townsville City
415
Rockingham
225
Population
Townsville City
2,945
Rockingham
15,312
Desirability pillars scored 0–100 vs comparable suburbs
Clearer edge on lifestyle fit (score gap ≥ 3)
Who each suburb suits — composite scores out of 100
Side-by-side scores for every compared metric.
Exact figures for every metric — winner highlighted in bold.
| Category | Townsville City | Rockingham |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 53.4/100 | 64.2/100 |
| Housing (desirability) | 35.1/100 | 52.4/100 |
| Crime rate | 190.5 / 1k | 877.4 / 1k |
| Schools & preschools | 9 | 9 |
| Parks & reserves | 5 | 18 |
| Public transport stops | — | 138 |
| Walkability | 76.0/100 | 100.0/100 |
| Nearby amenities | 415 | 225 |
| Population | 2,945 | 15,312 |
| SEIFA (IRSAD decile) | 9/10 | 2/10 |
Across states, Townsville City is a coastal mid-sized suburb shaped by beach life and outdoor living, whereas Rockingham is a beachside established suburb where the coast sets the tone. Townsville City sits further into the wider countryside, whereas Rockingham is firmly coastal.
Townsville City tends to lead on a quieter safety profile and nearby cafés and amenities, while Rockingham stands out for housing affordability and parks and reserves. Townsville City generally means more sought-after housing, while Rockingham leans toward more approachable housing costs.
On balance, families and investors are more likely to prefer Rockingham, while Townsville City remains a solid alternative depending on what matters most day to day.