Research only. Not financial advice. Data: Q1 2025 indicative estimates from public sources. Verify independently.
Both markets have comparable gross yields (4.5% vs 4.4%). 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 | Cairns QLD · #29 | Townsville QLD · #16 |
|---|---|---|
| Gross Yield | 4.5% | 4.4% |
| Vacancy Rate | 1.1% | 1.2% |
| Median Price | $613k | $595k |
| Weekly Rent | $525/wk | $500/wk |
| Net pre-costs pa | $-4,550 | $-4,940 |
| Cashflow | Slightly-Negative | Slightly-Negative |
| Rent Growth 12m | +6.8% | +7.8% |
| Price Growth 12m | +9.4% | +10.4% |
| NG Dependence | Medium | Medium |
| Discovery Status | Known | Emerging |
| Population | 160k | 180k |
| Cycle Stage | Early-Mid | Early-Mid |
| Policy Impact | ◆ NEUTRAL | ◆ NEUTRAL |
| Signal Score | 52 / Tier 2 | 57 / Tier 2 |
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.
Townsville is North Queensland's largest city and a significant ADF hub — Lavarack Barracks (Army) and RAAF Base Townsville. James Cook University and Townsville University Hospital underpin stable public-sector employment. The market has recovered materially from its 2015–2019 downturn. At $595k and $500/wk, cashflow is slightly negative at standard LVR — not the positive-cashflow market it was two years ago, but yield of 4.4% remains competitive for a city of this scale.
realestate.com.au Cairns City suburb median, Jun 2025–May 2026. Verify against REIQ for wider LGA. Data quality: imported.
Data vintage: 2026
REIQ/PropTrack 2025 region estimate. Verify against current REIQ data before publishing. 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.