Emerald offers a materially higher gross yield (6.1% vs 4.5%), making it the stronger income candidate at current prices. Emerald achieves positive cashflow without negative gearing support, while Cairns requires additional tax offset or rental growth to break even.
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 | Cairns QLD · #29 | Emerald QLD · #2 |
|---|---|---|
| Gross Yield | 4.5% | 6.1% |
| Vacancy Rate | 1.1% | 0.7% |
| Median Price | $613k | $390k |
| Weekly Rent | $525/wk | $460/wk |
| Net pre-costs pa | $-4,550 | +$3,640 |
| Cashflow | Slightly-Negative | Positive |
| Rent Growth 12m | +6.8% | +6% |
| Price Growth 12m | +9.4% | +4.5% |
| NG Dependence | Medium | None |
| Discovery Status | Known | Unknown |
| Population | 160k | 14k |
| Cycle Stage | Early-Mid | Early |
| Policy Impact | ◆ NEUTRAL | ▲ STRONG UPGRADE |
| Signal Score | 52 / Tier 2 | 73 / Tier 1 |
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.
Tightest vacancy in the scan at 0.7% (effectively full). 6.1% yield at $390k is genuinely positive cashflow. Emerald sits at the intersection of coking coal and agriculture, giving it more diversification than a pure mining town. Discovery status 'Unknown': no institutional attention yet.
realestate.com.au Cairns City suburb median, Jun 2025–May 2026. Verify against REIQ for wider LGA. Data quality: imported.
Data vintage: 2026
CoreLogic QLD Q1 2025 · REIQ Emerald Q4 2024 · SQM Research Central Highlands · ABS agricultural census water allocation 2024 · Central Highlands Regional Council planning data
Data vintage: Q1 2025
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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.