Research only. Not financial advice. Data: Q1 2025 indicative estimates from public sources. Verify independently.
Alice Springs offers a materially higher gross yield (6.3% vs 4.5%), making it the stronger income candidate at current prices. Alice Springs achieves positive cashflow without negative gearing support, while Cairns requires additional tax offset or rental growth to break even. Vacancy conditions favour Cairns (1.1% vs 2%), indicating tighter rental demand relative to supply.
Research context only. Not financial advice. Both markets carry distinct risks specific to their location, employment base, and economic profile. Read the individual suburb research pages before drawing conclusions. All policy references reflect proposed changes subject to final legislation.
| Metric | Alice Springs NT · #21 | Cairns QLD · #29 |
|---|---|---|
| Gross Yield | 6.3% | 4.5% |
| Vacancy Rate | 2% | 1.1% |
| Median Price | $490k | $613k |
| Weekly Rent | $590/wk | $525/wk |
| Net pre-costs pa | +$5,200 | $-4,550 |
| Cashflow | Positive | Slightly-Negative |
| Rent Growth 12m | +4% | +6.8% |
| Price Growth 12m | +3% | +9.4% |
| NG Dependence | None | Medium |
| Discovery Status | Known | Known |
| Population | 26k | 160k |
| Cycle Stage | Unknown | Early-Mid |
| Policy Impact | ◆ NEUTRAL | ◆ NEUTRAL |
| Signal Score | 55 / Tier 2 | 52 / Tier 2 |
6.3% yield at $490k is clearly cashflow positive. The dominant employer (Pine Gap) is a permanent US-Australian defense facility on a 70+ year lease, making it arguably the most recession-proof employment base in the scan. Federal housing investment is improving stock quality.
Cairns is Australia's gateway to the Great Barrier Reef — a major international tourism hub with Cairns Airport as a primary employer alongside healthcare (Cairns Hospital) and government services. Residential rental demand is underpinned by permanent resident workers, not purely tourism workers. At $612,500 and $525/wk, cashflow is slightly negative at standard LVR. Vacancy at 1.1% is tight. Note: broader Cairns LGA median house prices are materially higher than the Cairns City suburb figure used here.
CoreLogic NT Q1 2025 · REINT Alice Springs Q4 2024 · SQM Research · Commonwealth Department of Defense (public Pine Gap briefings) · Housing NT stock condition report 2024
Data vintage: Q1 2025
realestate.com.au Cairns City suburb median, Jun 2025–May 2026. Verify against REIQ for wider LGA. Data quality: imported.
Data vintage: 2026
The interactive tool lets you add up to 4 suburbs for a full side-by-side breakdown with score components.
Research only. Not financial advice. Data vintage Q1 2025 (indicative estimates from public sources). Verify all metrics independently with local property managers and licensed advisers before making any investment decision. All negative gearing and budget policy references reflect proposed changes subject to final legislation. Consult a registered tax adviser for personal tax position.