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Local Government Area (LGA) Research · Data as of Sept 2026

Property Investment in Cairns, QLD

65 suburbs in Cairns council area · Part of Greater Cairns · Population ~179,334 · 69,047 dwellings · 1,689 km²

Cairns Council Average R-Score 79 / 100 — top suburb in Cairns scores 100/100

Market conditions here are running warmer than most

Most of the demand and supply indicators we track are sitting above the national midpoint this month.

Unlock all Cairns suburb rankings & highest-scoring streets ↓

Figures reflect Ripehouse Advisory’s monthly 27-indicator suburb bake (Sept 2026). General information only — not personal financial advice.

Top suburb in Cairns100

Highest R-Score out of 65 suburbs in Cairns

Cairns council average79

Across 53 scored suburbs in Cairns

Suburb medians in Cairns range from $160,000 to $2,800,000.

3-year population movement: +4.5%. Annual new dwelling approvals: 2% of stock (~1,347 dwellings). Tracked infrastructure pipeline: $3.3B. Key employment sectors: Health Care and Social Assistance (15%), Accommodation and Food Services (11%), Retail Trade (11%), Education and Training (9%).

Typical suburb median price$791,000

Across 65 suburbs in Cairns (Sept 2026) · ~105 days on market.

Gross rental yield & rent4.6%

Median asking rent ~$720/wk · Vacancy 2.5%.

Top suburb R-Score in Cairns100/100

Highest-scoring suburb out of 65 in Cairns. Unlock the top suburbs ↓

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Find a Suburb or Street in Cairns

Filter the 65 suburbs in Cairns or click Check streets on any suburb to inspect its individual streets.

Click inside the search box to browse Cairns suburbs or drill down to individual streets.

The full Cairns (QLD) council scorecard

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Unlock the Best Suburbs & Streets in Cairns (65 suburbs scored)

See which suburbs and streets in Cairns score highest on the 27-indicator Ripehouse R-Score and Street Score — plus the underperforming pockets to avoid. Free, instant, and unlocks every suburb and street across Australia.

  • Top 10 & Bottom 5 suburbs in Cairns ranked by R-Score
  • 4-pillar score breakdown & 3-year price, rent and DOM charts
  • Top 12 highest-scoring streets in Cairns (block-level Street Score)
  • Highest-yielding & fastest-selling suburbs in Cairns

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All 65 Suburbs in Cairns (QLD)

Suburbs in Cairns — Suburb Research & Street Scores

Every suburb in the Cairns council area. Click a suburb name to view its Suburb R-Score report, or click Best streets to see how every street in that suburb ranks.

Cairns (QLD) FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions: Property Investment in Cairns

Key facts and market data from the Sept 2026 Ripehouse Advisory research bake for Cairns (Queensland).

Is Cairns (QLD) a good council area for property investment in 2026?

As of Sept 2026, Cairns (Queensland) has an average Ripehouse R-Score of 79/100 across 65 suburbs, with its strongest suburb scoring 100/100. Across Cairns, the typical suburb median price is $791,000, median weekly rent is $720/wk, gross rental yield is 4.6%, and vacancy sits at 2.5%.

Which suburbs in Cairns have the highest R-Score right now?

In the Sept 2026 Ripehouse research bake, the highest-scoring suburbs in Cairns (QLD) are Aeroglen (100/100, median $768,000), Babinda (99/100, median $510,000), Deeral (98/100, median $500,000), Fishery Falls (97/100, median $650,000), Packers Camp (97/100, median $1,110,000). Each suburb is evaluated monthly across 27 demand, supply, momentum, and yield indicators.

What is the median house price, rent and rental yield in Cairns?

Across Cairns (QLD), the median suburb property price is $791,000, median asking rent is $720/wk, and median gross yield is 4.6%, with homes averaging 105 days on market. The highest-yielding suburbs in Cairns include Packers Camp (8.6%), Machans Beach (7.1%), Bungalow (6.5%).

What are the demographics and size of the Cairns council area?

Cairns is a Local Government Area in Queensland (part of Greater Cairns) with an ABS estimated resident population of 179,334, approximately 69,047 dwellings, covering 1,689 sq km.

What are the best streets in Cairns (QLD)?

Every street across all 65 suburbs in Cairns is scored on the Ripehouse Street Score. Select any suburb below to view its street-by-street rankings.