Bendigo
VICTier 3Slightly-Negative
50
Signal score
VS
Cairns
QLDTier 2Slightly-Negative
52
Signal score

Research only. Not financial advice. Data: Q1 2025 indicative estimates from public sources. Verify independently.

Cairns: Stronger Rent Momentum
+6.8% vs +3.6%

Both markets have comparable gross yields (4.1% vs 4.5%). Both markets carry similar cashflow positions under current yield and interest rate assumptions.

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
Bendigo
VIC · #30
Cairns
QLD · #29
Gross Yield4.1%4.5%
Vacancy Rate1.3%1.1%
Median Price$640k$613k
Weekly Rent$510/wk$525/wk
Net pre-costs pa$-6,760$-4,550
CashflowSlightly-NegativeSlightly-Negative
Rent Growth 12m+3.6%+6.8%
Price Growth 12m+2.4%+9.4%
NG DependenceMediumMedium
Discovery StatusKnownKnown
Population120k160k
Cycle StageMidEarly-Mid
Policy Impact▼ DOWNGRADED◆ NEUTRAL
Signal Score50 / Tier 352 / Tier 2
Bendigo

Bendigo at $640k with $510/wk rent produces 4.1% gross yield — the strongest of the two Victorian the Melbourne commuter premium as a backstop. The VIC land tax changes add a holding cost layer for investors with multiple properties. Bendigo Health, La Trobe University, and regional government services provide stable employment anchors. Investment case is long-hold capital growth, not income.

Cairns

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.

Bendigo: Sources

2026 median house data. Source: realestate.com.au. Data quality: imported. Verify before transacting.

Data vintage: 2026

Cairns: Sources

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.