Median priceⓘLast 12 months
541kk
↑ +50.0% YoY
Cairns City, QLD 4870
Property data updated ·3,616 residents
Last 12 months snapshot
128 sales · 128 leases · Refreshed July 2026
Cairns City property market
Cairns City's busiest market is unit sales, with 120 sales (up 4.3%) at around $651k (up 8.3%) as of July 2026, taking about 36 days to sell (up a lot from 26 days last year), around half are 2-bedroom.
Unit rentals are close behind, with 112 leases (down 3.4%) at $645 a week (up 1.6%), renting out in about 17 days (down from 18 days last year), with rents weaker than most unit rental markets, with 1-bedroom making up around 38%. Then come 16 house rentals at $545 a week and 8 house sales at around $610k.
Middle-incomeYoung-professionalRenter-heavyStrongly multiculturalMostly apartmentsNewcomer-heavy
Who lives hereA middle-income, renter-heavy, young-professional suburb — strongly multicultural, apartment-dominated and newcomer-heavy.
House covers houses, duplexes, semi-detached and terraces; Unit covers apartments, units, townhouses and villas.
Census · ABS 2021
Cairns City demographics & population
Population
3,616
Median age
44yrs
Avg household
1.9people
Male · Female
56% · 44%
Owner-occupied
50%
Renting
50%
Lone person
50%
Couples, no kids
50%
Born overseas
50%
Year 12+ⓘ
50%
Census data sourced from the Australian Bureau of Statistics — © Commonwealth of Australia, 2021 Census of Population and Housing and Socio-Economic Indexes for Areas (SEIFA) 2021 · Shares, ratios and percentiles shown are Micromarkets transformations of that data · licensed CC BY 4.0.
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Census · ABS 2021
Who lives in Cairns City?
The age structure, household make-up, and cultural fabric of the people who call this suburb home.
Age & sex2,156 residentsMaleFemale
Share of all residents by 5-year band · hover a band for the count + split
Life stage
50%
50%
50%
50%
50%
50%
Children0–1450%Youth15–2450%Young adults25–3450%Midlife35–5450%Mature55–6450%Seniors65+50%
Household composition
50%
50%
50%
50%
50%
Lone person50%Couples, no kids50%Families with kids50%Other families50%Group / share50%
1.5 people / household0.6 persons / bedroom50% are 5+ person
Household sizepersons per dwelling
50%1
50%2
50%3
50%4
50%5
50%6+
Cultural make-upshare of residents · diversity = odds two differ
Born overseasⓘResidents born outside Australia, as a share of those who stated a birthplace.50%
Other language at homeⓘResidents who mainly speak a language other than English at home — counts the language used, not how well English is spoken.50%
Limited EnglishⓘResidents who speak English “not well” or “not at all”. A language-barrier measure, not bilingualism — many who speak another language at home still speak English well.50%
Both parents overseasⓘResidents whose mother and father were both born overseas — the Australian-born-to-migrants “second generation”, distinct from being born overseas yourself.50%
Australian citizensⓘResidents who are Australian citizens — both Australian-born and people who have since naturalised.50%
Birthplace diversity43%
Chance two random residents were born in different countries
Language diversity40%
Chance two random residents speak different languages at home
Religious diversity38%
Chance two random residents follow different religions
Where residents were borntop birthplaces
Afghanistan50%
Australia50%
Bangladesh50%
Bosnia & Herzegovina50%
Brazil50%
Cambodia50%
Canada50%
Chile50%
Languages at hometop languages
English only50%
Afrikaans50%
Arabic50%
Australian Indigenous50%
Cantonese50%
Mandarin50%
Other Chinese50%
Croatian50%
Ancestry% reporting · multi-response
Australian50%
Aboriginal/Torres Strait Islander50%
Chinese50%
Croatian50%
Dutch50%
English50%
Faith & belieftap Christianity
No religion50%
▸Christianity50%
Islam50%
Buddhism50%
Hinduism50%
Judaism50%
Other religions50%
Family originsparents’ birthplace
50%
50%
50%
Both parents overseas50%One parent overseas50%Both parents in Australia50%
A strongly multicultural community with deep migrant heritage.
When migrants arrivedshare of overseas-born
Before 198150%
1981-200050%
2001-201050%
2011-201550%
2016-202150%
2020–21 understated — COVID border closures.
Census data sourced from the Australian Bureau of Statistics — © Commonwealth of Australia, 2021 Census of Population and Housing · Shares, ratios and percentiles shown are Micromarkets transformations of that data · licensed CC BY 4.0.
Census · ABS 2021
Housing & affordability in Cairns City
What it costs to live here, who owns versus rents, and the shape of the housing stock.
Affordability at a glance
LowMedianHighPercentile
Median weekly rentⓘMiddle weekly rent paid by renting households.Bottom 43%Median weekly rent · $328/wk — typical: right around the median for Aussie suburbs.
Median monthly mortgageⓘMiddle monthly mortgage repayment among households with a mortgage.Bottom 30%Median monthly mortgage · $1,035/mo — below average: in the bottom 30%, lower mortgages than 70% of Aussie suburbs.
Rent stress (rent ÷ income)ⓘMedian weekly rent as a share of median weekly household income — a rough rental-affordability gauge. Higher = rent takes a bigger bite.Top 50%Rent stress · 50% — typical: right around the median for Aussie suburbs.
Mortgage stress (repay ÷ income)ⓘMedian mortgage repayment (converted to weekly) as a share of median weekly household income. Higher = repayments take a bigger bite.Top 50%Mortgage stress · 50% — typical: right around the median for Aussie suburbs.
High mortgage (≥$3k/mo)ⓘMortgaged households repaying $3,000 or more per month.Top 50%High mortgage · 50% — typical: right around the median for Aussie suburbs.
Social housingⓘHouseholds renting from a state housing authority or community housing provider.Top 50%Social housing · 50% — typical: right around the median for Aussie suburbs.
Unoccupied on census nightⓘDwellings recorded as unoccupied on Census night — holiday homes, between-tenant rentals, etc.Top 50%Unoccupied on census night · 50% — typical: right around the median for Aussie suburbs.
Large dwellings (4+ bed)ⓘOccupied dwellings with 4 or more bedrooms.Top 50%Large dwellings · 50% — typical: right around the median for Aussie suburbs.
This suburb Typical range (middle 50%) Median suburb
Bedrooms per dwellingshare of dwellings
50%0
50%1
50%2
50%3
50%4
50%5
50%6+
Who owns vs rentsoccupied dwellings
50%
50%
50%
50%
Owned outright50%Mortgage50%Renting50%Other50%
What’s built heredwelling types
50%
50%
50%
50%
House50%Townhouse50%Apartment50%Other50%
50% separate houses50% apartments50% high-rise
Census data sourced from the Australian Bureau of Statistics — © Commonwealth of Australia, 2021 Census of Population and Housing · Shares, ratios and percentiles shown are Micromarkets transformations of that data · licensed CC BY 4.0.
Census · ABS 2021
Income & employment in Cairns City
Incomes, employment, and the occupation mix of the people who live here.
Income & work at a glance
LowMedianHighPercentile
Median personal incomeⓘMiddle weekly income of individuals aged 15+.Bottom 40%Median personal income · $726/wk — below average: in the bottom 40%, lower personal income than 60% of Aussie suburbs.
Median family incomeⓘMiddle weekly income of families.Bottom 42%Median family income · $1,092/wk — typical: right around the median for Aussie suburbs.
Managers & professionalsⓘEmployed residents who work as managers or professionals.Top 50%Managers & professionals · 50% — typical: right around the median for Aussie suburbs.
High earners (≥$2k/wk)ⓘResidents earning $2,000 or more per week.Top 50%High earners · 50% — typical: right around the median for Aussie suburbs.
This suburb Typical range (middle 50%) Median suburb
Occupations
LowMedianHighPercentile
Managers & professionalsⓘEmployed residents who work as managers or professionals.Top 50%Managers & professionals · 50% — typical: right around the median for Aussie suburbs.
Clerical & adminⓘEmployed residents in clerical and administrative jobs.Top 50%Clerical & admin · 50% — typical: right around the median for Aussie suburbs.
Community & personal serviceⓘEmployed residents in community and personal-service jobs — care, hospitality, security and similar.Top 50%Community & personal service · 50% — typical: right around the median for Aussie suburbs.
Sales workersⓘEmployed residents in sales jobs.Top 50%Sales workers · 50% — typical: right around the median for Aussie suburbs.
Technicians, trades & labourersⓘEmployed residents in technical/trade, machinery-operating and labouring jobs.Top 50%Technicians, trades & labourers · 50% — typical: right around the median for Aussie suburbs.
Household incomeheight = share of households · weekly
Personal incomeheight = share of residents 15+ · weekly
Household and personal income sit close together — lots of single-earner or lone-person homes.
Labour forceemployment status · residents 15+
50%
50%
50%
50%
50%
Employed full-time50%Employed part-time50%Employed (away/other)50%Unemployed50%Not in labour force50%
LowMedianHighPercentile
Full-time workersⓘResidents in the labour force who are employed full-time.Top 50%Full-time workers · 50% — typical: right around the median for Aussie suburbs.
Part-time workersⓘEmployed residents working part-time, of all employed.Top 50%Part-time workers · 50% — typical: right around the median for Aussie suburbs.
Unemployment rateⓘShare of the labour force (people working or actively looking) who are unemployed — not a share of all residents.Top 50%Unemployment rate · 50% — typical: right around the median for Aussie suburbs.
Not in labour forceⓘResidents 15+ neither working nor looking for work — retirees, students, carers.Top 50%Not in labour force · 50% — typical: right around the median for Aussie suburbs.
Labour-force participationⓘResidents 15+ who are in the labour force — working or looking for work.Top 50%Labour-force participation · 50% — typical: right around the median for Aussie suburbs.
This suburb Typical range (middle 50%) Median suburb
Census data sourced from the Australian Bureau of Statistics — © Commonwealth of Australia, 2021 Census of Population and Housing · Shares, ratios and percentiles shown are Micromarkets transformations of that data · licensed CC BY 4.0.
Census · ABS 2021
Getting around Cairns City
How people get to work, and how car-dependent the suburb is — the clearest tell of inner-urban versus outer-suburban living.
Transport at a glance
LowMedianHighPercentile
Public transport to workⓘCommuters who travelled to work by train, bus, ferry or tram, of those who travelled.Top 50%Public transport to work · 50% — typical: right around the median for Aussie suburbs.
Walked or cycled to workⓘCommuters who walked or cycled to work, of those who travelled.Top 50%Walked or cycled to work · 50% — typical: right around the median for Aussie suburbs.
Worked from homeⓘEmployed residents who worked from home in the Census week — elevated by COVID in 2021.Top 50%Worked from home · 50% — typical: right around the median for Aussie suburbs.
No motor vehicleⓘHouseholds with no motor vehicle.Top 50%No motor vehicle · 50% — typical: right around the median for Aussie suburbs.
Vehicles per dwellingⓘAverage number of motor vehicles per household.Bottom 15%Vehicles per dwelling · 1.00 — well below average: in the bottom 15%, fewer vehicles per home than 85% of Aussie suburbs.
This suburb Typical range (middle 50%) Median suburb
Journey to workamong commuters · top modes
Car (driver)50%
Car (passenger)50%
Train50%
Bus50%
Tram/light rail50%
Ferry50%
Walked50%
Vehicles per dwellingshare of households
50%0
50%1
50%2
50%3
50%4+
Census data sourced from the Australian Bureau of Statistics — © Commonwealth of Australia, 2021 Census of Population and Housing · Shares, ratios and percentiles shown are Micromarkets transformations of that data · licensed CC BY 4.0.
Education · ACARA My School 2025
Schools in and around Cairns City
2 schools inside Cairns City, plus the closest options around it. 2 high schools cover the secondary years in Cairns City and its surrounds — no primary school sits within this radius. Distances are straight-line from the suburb centre and are not enrolment catchments — always confirm zones with the school.
Within Cairns City2schools in the suburb itself
Primary schools0within 5 km · nearest 7.2 km
Secondary schools2within 5 km · nearest in suburb
Median ICSEA rank50thenrolment-weighted
What is ICSEA Rank?
ICSEA is ACARA’s official measure of a school’s socio-educational advantage — based mainly on parents’ education and occupation, plus the school’s location and student mix.
Nearby within2 schools
- Within Cairns City · 2Order by
- 1St Monica's CollegeCatholic · Secondary · Co-ed · Years 7-12 · Within suburbState RankTop 50%English★★★★★★★★★★Maths★★★★★★★★★★Students634Multilingual50%ICSEA Rank50th
- 2St Augustine's CollegeCatholic · Secondary · Co-ed · Years 7-12 · Within suburbState RankTop 50%English★★★★★★★★★★Maths★★★★★★★★★★Students634Multilingual50%ICSEA Rank50th
Catholic
Why are some State Rank and star ratings blank? Schools can choose not to publish their results. In practice, schools that score well above their state average almost always publish theirs — so a blank rating more often reflects a school opting out than a top result being hidden. Academic results also tend to rise with ICSEA Rank, so higher-ICSEA schools more often carry a strong State Rank as well.
School profile and ICSEA data sourced from ACARA — © Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (data year 2025) · State Rank & star columns are Micromarkets-compiled academic ratings from publicly available school results · Distances are straight-line from the suburb centre, not catchments.
Census · ABS 2021
Turnover
How settled or transient the community is — and where newcomers came from.
Settledness at a glance
LowMedianHighPercentile
Settled 5+ yearsⓘResidents living at the same address as five years ago — how settled the community is.Top 50%Settled 5+ years · 50% — typical: right around the median for Aussie suburbs.
Moved in past yearⓘResidents living at a different address one year earlier.Top 50%Moved in past year · 50% — typical: right around the median for Aussie suburbs.
Arrived from overseas (5 yr)ⓘResidents who arrived in Australia from overseas within the past five years.Top 50%Arrived from overseas · 50% — typical: right around the median for Aussie suburbs.
This suburb Typical range (middle 50%) Median suburb
Where residents lived 5 years agoof those who stated
50%
50%
50%
50%
Same address50%Moved within area50%From elsewhere in Australia50%From overseas50%
Residential paceshare of residents
Moved in the past yearⓘResidents living at a different address one year earlier.50%
Moved in the past 5 yearsⓘResidents not living at the same address as five years ago.50%
Arrived from overseas (5 yr)ⓘResidents who arrived in Australia from overseas within the past five years.50%
Property market
Market snapshot
Cairns City median house price & rent
Headline price, rent, yield and time on market for Cairns City — choose a property type and size below.
Active segment
Houses
Units
Days on marketⓘLast 12 months
45
↓ 7 days YoY
SoldⓘLast 12 months
21
↑ +50.0% YoY
Months of supplyⓘLast 12 months
6.6mo
Median rentⓘLast 12 months
$452/w
↑ +50.0% YoY
Days to leaseⓘLast 12 months
13
↑ 7 days YoY
LeasedⓘLast 12 months
20
↑ +0.5% YoY
Gross yieldⓘLast 12 months
4.21%
Annualised
Data confidenceSales sample19StrongLease sample28Strong
Segment breakdown
House & unit prices by bedroom
Every segment this suburb tracks — sales and rentals side by side, ranked by total activity over the last twelve months.
Demand percentile 0–100 · last 12 months12-mo change
Sales
Rental
Demand
Segment
Sold
Price
DOM
Leased
Rent
DOM
Yield
SalesRent
01
Houses · 2 bed19 sales · 28 leases
Sold21+0.5%
Price$541k▲+50.0%
Sales DOM—
Leased20▲+50.0%
Rent$452/wk+0.5%
Rental DOM13 days
4.21%
Sales—
Rent—
02
Houses · 3 bed19 sales · 28 leases
Sold21
Price$541k
Sales DOM45 days
Leased20▲+50.0%
Rent$452/wk▲+50.0%
Rental DOM13 days▼−7d
4.21%
Sales—
Rent—
03
Units · 1 bed19 sales · 28 leases
Sold21▲+50.0%
Price$541k▲+50.0%
Sales DOM45 days▲+7d
Leased20▲+50.0%
Rent$452/wk▲+50.0%
Rental DOM13 days▼−7d
4.21%
Sales50/100
Rent50/100
04
Units · 2 bed19 sales · 28 leases
Sold21+0.5%
Price$541k+0.5%
Sales DOM45 days▲+7d
Leased20+0.5%
Rent$452/wk▲+50.0%
Rental DOM13 days▼−7d
4.21%
Sales50/100
Rent50/100
05
Units · 3 bed19 sales · 28 leases
Sold21▲+50.0%
Price$541k▲+50.0%
Sales DOM45 days▲+7d
Leased20+0.5%
Rent$452/wk▲+50.0%
Rental DOM13 days▼−7d
4.21%
Sales50/100
Rent50/100
06
Houses · 4 bed19 sales · 28 leases
Sold—
Price—
Sales DOM—
Leased—
Rent—
Rental DOM—
—
Sales1/100
Rent1/100
All houses
Sold21+0.5%
Price$541k▲+50.0%
Sales DOM45 days
Leased20▲+50.0%
Rent$452/wk▲+50.0%
Rental DOM13 days▼−7d
4.21%
Sales—
Rent50/100
All units
Sold21▲+50.0%
Price$541k▲+50.0%
Sales DOM45 days▲+7d
Leased20+0.5%
Rent$452/wk▲+50.0%
Rental DOM13 days▼−7d
4.21%
Sales50/100
Rent50/100
Where each segment ranks
Cairns City property growth
Where each segment sits against its peers in the chosen geography — past the midline means it's outperforming the rest.
Metric
Ranked against
Market demandHow fast this market is moving — a velocity index built from trailing-year transaction volume and median days on market. Strong volume lifts the score; days on market drags it down, with the drag growing sharply once listings start lingering. Ranked against peers in the chosen geography.
Houses
0/1above median
02550 · MEDIAN75100
Percentile vs QLD
Value
Units
4/4above median
02550 · MEDIAN75100
Percentile vs QLD
Value
The buy-versus-rent equation
Buying vs renting in Cairns City
What it costs each week to own a property versus renting the same one — positive means buying carries the premium, negative means rent covers the mortgage.
Property
Compare to
Units · 1 bed: +1%
Units · 2 bed: +1%
Units · 3 bed: +50%
Units · Total: +50%
QLD MEDIAN · +45%
Rent covers itRenting matches or beats the cost of owning−10% to 0%
BalancedMortgage roughly matches asking rent+30% to +60%
Far pricier to ownBuying costs much more than renting+100% to +130%+
BreakdownLast 12 months
Holding cost
Mortgage
Rent
Premium
Band
01
Units · 1 bed21 sales · 20 leases
−$93/wk
$545/wk
$452/wk
+1%
Rent-covered
02
Units · 2 bed21 sales · 20 leases
−$93/wk
$545/wk
$452/wk
+1%
Rent-covered
03
Units · 3 bed21 sales · 20 leases
−$93/wk
$545/wk
$452/wk
+50%
Typical premium
Assumes 80% LVR·6.0% rate·30y P&I
Premium = (weekly mortgage − weekly rent) ÷ weekly rent. Band thresholds are national breakpoints across ~11,400 eligible Australian segments — the Typical premium band spans national P25 to P75, so it’s literally what’s typical.
Market data
How strong is demand, and which way is it heading?
Two questions on one chart — how strong demand is right now, and which way it's heading year-on-year.
Side
View
Property
Bedrooms
Radius
Compared against
Sales market velocity
5 nearby suburbs · 10km · Total unit · sales
risingfalling
DOM change YoYis demand rising or falling?
median
median
Recoveryweak but rising
Boomstrong and rising
Troughweak and falling
Peakstrong but easing
Nearby suburb
Demand index
50 / 100vs QLD
Days on market
17 days▲ +1 day YoY
Median price
$319k▲ +14.7% YoY
Sold (last year)
42▼ −11.3% YoY
Nearby suburb
Demand index
67 / 100vs QLD
Days on market
16 days▲ +2 days YoY
Median price
$314k▲ +14.0% YoY
Sold (last year)
28▼ −12.4% YoY
Nearby suburb
Demand index
65 / 100vs QLD
Days on market
13 days▲ +6 days YoY
Median price
$320k▲ +14.4% YoY
Sold (last year)
69▼ −5.4% YoY
Nearby suburb
Demand index
70 / 100vs QLD
Days on market
25 days▲ +6 days YoY
Median price
$383k▲ +9.5% YoY
Sold (last year)
121▼ −1.5% YoY
Nearby suburb
Demand index
60 / 100vs QLD
Days on market
18 days▲ +8 days YoY
Median price
$262k▲ +17.0% YoY
Sold (last year)
57▼ −25.2% YoY
Cairns City · this suburb
Demand index
36 / 100vs QLD
Days on market
45 days▲ +7 days YoY
Median price
$541k▲ +50.0% YoY
Sold (last year)
21▲ +50.0% YoY
weakSales market velocityhow strong sales demand isstrong
This suburb Neighbouring suburbs · coloured by market phaseHover a point for its figures
Market data
Cairns City against the neighbourhood
Eight diagnostic views cutting the data a different way each time — Cairns City in blue, peers in colour.
Pair
View
Property
Bedrooms
Radius
How fast — and is it getting faster?
5 peer suburbs · 10km · Total unit
fasterslower
DOM change YoYvs 12 months ago
median
median
Recoveringquiet but accelerating
Boomingbusy and accelerating
Stalledquiet and slowing further
Coolingbusy but slowing
Nearby suburb
Demand index
43 / 100vs Australia
Days on market
17 days▲ +1 day YoY
Median price
$319k▲ +14.7% YoY
Sold (last year)
42▼ −11.3% YoY
Gross yield
3.28%
Nearby suburb
Demand index
39 / 100vs Australia
Days on market
16 days▲ +2 days YoY
Median price
$314k▲ +14.0% YoY
Sold (last year)
28▼ −12.4% YoY
Gross yield
5.89%
Nearby suburb
Demand index
58 / 100vs Australia
Days on market
13 days▲ +6 days YoY
Median price
$320k▲ +14.4% YoY
Sold (last year)
69▼ −5.4% YoY
Gross yield
3.88%
Nearby suburb
Demand index
41 / 100vs Australia
Days on market
25 days▲ +6 days YoY
Median price
$383k▲ +9.5% YoY
Sold (last year)
121▼ −1.5% YoY
Gross yield
4.34%
Nearby suburb
Demand index
58 / 100vs Australia
Days on market
18 days▲ +8 days YoY
Median price
$262k▲ +17.0% YoY
Sold (last year)
57▼ −25.2% YoY
Gross yield
4.18%
Cairns City · this suburb
Demand index
50 / 100vs Australia
Days on market
45 days▲ +7 days YoY
Median price
$541k▲ +50.0% YoY
Sold (last year)
21▲ +50.0% YoY
Gross yield
4.21%
slowDays on marketmedian days to sellfast
This suburb Neighbouring suburbs · coloured by market phaseHover a point for its figures
How much is available right now?
Housing supply & months of stock
How long current listings would take to clear at the recent rate of sales or leases. Critical shortage and Oversupply only fire at the genuine tails of the national distribution — sales tip in under 0.7 months, rentals far faster, under 0.3.
View
Sales market
| Segment | Band | Months of supply left | YoYYoY change12-month change in months of supply. Down means stock is tightening (fewer months than a year ago); up means stock is loosening. | ListedListedActive listings in this segment right now, derived from months of supply multiplied by the recent transaction rate. | SoldSold (last year)Total sold transactions completed in this segment over the last 12 months. | Per monthPer monthAverage monthly absorption — how many properties are sold each month in this segment, over the last 12 months. |
|---|
median
Rental market
| Segment | Band | Months of supply left | YoYYoY change12-month change in months of supply. Down means stock is tightening (fewer months than a year ago); up means stock is loosening. | ListedListedActive listings in this segment right now, derived from months of supply multiplied by the recent transaction rate. | LeasedLeased (last year)Total leased transactions completed in this segment over the last 12 months. | Per monthPer monthAverage monthly absorption — how many properties are leased each month in this segment, over the last 12 months. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tight | 0.4 | ▼ -0.9 | 1 | 20 | 1.7 | |
| Tight | 0.5 | ▼ -0.9 | 1 | 20 | 1.7 | |
| National typical | 0.7 | ▲ +0.7 | 1 | 20 | 1.7 | |
| Loose | 1.3 | ▼ -0.1 | 2 | 20 | 1.7 | |
| Loose | 1.5 | ▲ +1.0 | 3 | 20 | 1.7 | |
| Oversupply | 2.5 | ▲ +0.5 | 4 | 20 | 1.7 |
median
Severe
Very Tight
Tight
Balanced
Loose
Very Loose
Saturated
Under-suppliedOver-supplied
Market data
Who's transacting — buyers or tenants?
Out of every property transaction in this suburb, what share are sales versus leases — each point a rolling twelve-month window.
Property
Cairns City — Units & Houses, all bedrooms
Jul 2021 – Jun 2026 · each point = a 12-month window
0%25%50%75%100%20222023202420252026
Sales · buyer transactions
Leases · tenant transactions
Five-year arc
Cairns City median house price & rent history
Each tape traces one metric across sixty months for the selected segment — every point a trailing twelve-month figure, matching the headline KPIs above.
Five-year summaryAs of Jun 2026, the median house sale price in Cairns City rose from $267k (Jul 2021) to $322k (Jun 2026) — +20.5% growth over five years — peaking at $504k between Mar 2025 and Feb 2026. Median house rent went from $319/wk to $325/wk (+1.9%) over the same period. For units, the median sale price rose from $251k to $563k (+124.6%), with rent up from $429/wk to $429/wk (+0.0%) over the same period.
PropertyBedrooms
Median price (trailing year)
Jun 2026
$322k-5.6%
5y median $354kvs last year $341k
Total sales (trailing year)
Jun 2026
7+0.0%
5y median 9vs last year 7
Days on market (trailing year)
Jun 2026
95 days+52
5y median 46 daysvs last year 43 days
Median rent (trailing year)
Jun 2026
$325/wk-11.2%
5y median $322/wkvs last year $366/wk
Total leases (trailing year)
Jun 2026
8+60.0%
5y median 8vs last year 5
Days on market (rental) (trailing year)
Jun 2026
8 days-18
5y median 25 daysvs last year 26 days
Gross yield (trailing year)
Mar 2026
3.52%+1.52 pt
5y median 3.07%vs last year 2.00%
Months of supply
Jun 2026
0.0 months-100.0%
5y median 1.0 monthsvs last year 1.3 months
Months of supply (rental)
Jun 2026
0.6 months-71.0%
5y median 0.6 monthsvs last year 2.0 months
Nearby markets
Suburbs near Cairns City: prices compared
The nearest suburbs to Cairns City, ranked by distance — each lined up against Cairns City on the same measures, so the differences jump out at a glance.
Market
Property
Bedrooms
Radius
Colour by
This marketCairns CityQLD 4870 · Units · Total
Price$541k
DOM45 days
Sold21
5 markets within 5kmLast 12 months
01
Parramatta ParkQLD 4870 · 0.7km · Units · Total
Price$319k
DOM17 days
Sold42
much cheapermuch faster
02ManundaQLD 4870 · 1.4km · Units · Total
Price$262k
DOM18 days
Sold57
much cheapermuch faster
03Cairns NorthQLD 4870 · 1.7km · Units · Total
Price$383k
DOM25 days
Sold121
cheapermuch faster
04WestcourtQLD 4870 · 1.8km · Units · Total
Price$320k
DOM13 days
Sold69
much cheapermuch faster
05BungalowQLD 4870 · 2.0km · Units · Total
Price$314k
DOM16 days
Sold28
much cheapermuch faster
Units · TotalSales market
Stat colourHow each suburb's stat compares to Cairns City
Much lowerLowerSimilarHigherMuch higher
Similar markets
Suburbs like Cairns City
Suburbs anywhere in QLD that behave like Cairns City — matched on price, growth, selling speed and demand, not on distance. A shortlist of markets that move the same way — including ones far away you'd never think to compare. (Want the suburbs right next door instead? See Nearby markets above.)
Cairns City vs Airlie Beach: the closest sales-market match trades at a median of $488k against Cairns City's $541k — about 10% lower, with homes selling in 31 days versus 45 days here.
Colour by
Property
Bedrooms
Market
This marketCairns CityQLD 4870 · Units · Total
Price$541k
DOM45 days
Sold21
Most similar sales markets · within 15.4–804 kmLast 12 months
0102030405
Airlie BeachQLD 4802 · 387km · 48% match
Price$488k
DOM31 days
Sold55
YandinaQLD 4561 · 804km · 69% match
Price$561k
DOM28 days
Sold20
Kewarra BeachQLD 4879 · 15km · 52% match
Price$506k
DOM17 days
Sold14
Dicky BeachQLD 4551 · 678km · 41% match
Price$537k
DOM28 days
Sold23
YeppoonQLD 4703 · 500km · 57% match
Price$433k
DOM30 days
Sold52
Stat colourHow each suburb's stat compares to Cairns City
Much lowerLowerSimilarHigherMuch higher
Comparable sales markets to Cairns City: Airlie Beach, QLD property market, Yandina property growth, Kewarra Beach median house price, Dicky Beach median house price and Yeppoon median house price.
Cairns City's closest rental-market twins: Kewarra Beach median house price, Yandina house prices, Dicky Beach median house price, Yeppoon property market and Airlie Beach median house price. Each link opens that suburb's full market report.
Market data
Frequently asked · Cairns City
24 data-driven answers about Cairns City's property market — every one computed from the metrics above.
What things cost
Prices, rent, yield, ownership costWhat is the median house price in Cairns City?
#The median house price in Cairns City, QLD 4870 is $541k as of June 2026, based on 19 sales over the past 12 months. Houses there have moved +50.0% year-on-year. Prices vary by bedroom count, from compact two-bedroom homes to larger four-bedroom houses. See the bedroom-level breakdown below for 2-, 3- and 4-bedroom medians.
What is the median unit price in Cairns City?
#The median unit price in Cairns City, QLD 4870 is $541k as of June 2026, based on 19 sales over the past 12 months. Units have moved +50.0% year-on-year and currently trade at roughly 100% of the median house price.
How much does it cost to rent in Cairns City?
#The median weekly house rent in Cairns City is $452 as of June 2026, drawn from 28 leases over the past 12 months. Units rent for around $452 per week. House rents have moved +50.0% year-on-year. Current vacancy pressure is shown in the supply section above.
How much is rent for a 3 bedroom house in Cairns City?
#A 3 bedroom house in Cairns City rents for a median $452 per week as of June 2026, drawn from 28 leases over the past 12 months. Across other house sizes: 2-bedroom $452/week. Unit rents: 1-bedroom $452/week, 2-bedroom $452/week, 3-bedroom $452/week. Figures cover only segments with enough recent leases to be statistically meaningful; sparse segments are excluded. The segment breakdown covers rent, yield and days on market for every property type and bedroom count.
What is the gross rental yield in Cairns City?
#Gross rental yield in Cairns City is 4.21% for houses and 4.21% for units as of June 2026, compared with the QLD unit median of 2.32%. Gross yield is annual rent divided by purchase price — it doesn't account for ownership costs like council rates, strata, maintenance or vacancy.
How much is a 3 bedroom house in Cairns City?
#As of June 2026, Cairns City medians by bedroom count:
| Property | 1 bed | 2 bed | 3 bed | 4 bed | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Houses | — | $541k | $541k | — | $541k |
| Units | $541k | $541k | $541k | — | $541k |
Figures cover only segments with enough recent transactions to be statistically meaningful; sparse segments are excluded.
What does it cost to own versus rent at the Cairns City median?
#At the median Cairns City unit ($541k purchase, $452/week rent), weekly mortgage repayments sit at roughly $545 — about $93 more per week than renting. That gap is the ownership premium. Figures assume 80% LVR, a 6.0% interest rate and a 30-year principal-and-interest loan.
How the market is moving
Speed, supply, growth, cycle phaseWhat are Cairns City's property market trends?
#Cairns City's property market trends to June 2026: house prices rose +50.0% year-on-year and units +50.0%; weekly house rents moved +50.0%; homes sell in a median 45 days. Read together — price, rent, selling speed and supply — they show which way the Cairns City market is leaning. The 5-year tape and demand cycle charts above plot the full trajectory.
What does the data say about Cairns City as an investment?
#As of June 2026 in Cairns City, house prices rose +50.0% over the year, gross rental yield is 4.21% against a QLD median of 2.14%, houses take a median 45 days to sell. Capital growth, rental yield, selling speed and supply are the signals investors weigh — but these figures describe the market, not a recommendation. This is data, not financial advice; always do your own research and consider a licensed adviser.
How quickly do houses sell in Cairns City?
#Houses in Cairns City sell in a median 45 days on market as of June 2026, with units clearing slightly similarly at 45 days. Faster clearance typically coincides with stronger buyer demand and lower supply.
Have property prices in Cairns City gone up or down?
#House prices in Cairns City moved +50.0% over the 12 months to June 2026, while units moved +50.0%. The 5-year tape above plots the full monthly trajectory — showing where the market changed character rather than just crossing round numbers.
How active is the rental market in Cairns City?
#Cairns City's house rental market sits at 2.5 months of supply as of June 2026 — classified as Very Loose, with 20 houses leased over the past 12 months. Units sit at 1.3 months. Tighter supply typically corresponds to faster letting and upward pressure on rents.
How it compares
Vs state, vs nearby, vs popularHow does Cairns City compare to other QLD suburbs?
#Cairns City's median house price ($541k) is 34% below the QLD median ($814k) as of June 2026. On selling speed, houses clear in 45 days vs 21 days state median. On gross yield, Cairns City sits at 4.21% vs 2.14% state median.
How does Cairns City compare to neighbouring suburbs?
#Cairns City's most-similar nearby market is Condon (186.3 km away) with a median house price of $484k — about 11% cheaper. The Nearby and Similar markets sections above rank every peer within radius and by composite similarity across price, days on market, yield, ownership cost and cycle phase.
What's the most popular property type in Cairns City?
#The most-transacted segment in Cairns City over the 12 months to June 2026 is 2 bed houses with 21 sales. 3 bed houses come second at 21 sales. The buying-versus-renting section above breaks down the top segments with weekly mortgage, rent and ownership-cost detail.
How many properties were sold and leased in Cairns City last year?
#Cairns City recorded 21 house sales and 21 unit sales over the 12 months to June 2026 — a combined 42 transactions. On the rental side, 20 houses and 20 units were leased. Segments with statistically thin samples are excluded from displayed figures.
About the area
Population, income, who lives here, schoolsWhat postcode is Cairns City in?
#Cairns City is in postcode 4870, in the Cairns & Far North region of QLD. Addresses there are written as Cairns City, QLD 4870.
What is the population of Cairns City?
#Cairns City, QLD 4870 is home to 2,156 residents (ABS Census 2021). The median resident age is 38, and the average household holds 1.5 people. The "Who lives here" section above breaks the community down by age, life stage and tenure.
What is the median household income in Cairns City?
#The median household in Cairns City earns $823 per week — roughly $43k a year (ABS Census 2021). Median personal income runs $726/week. Income, rent-to-income and mortgage-to-income context sits in the "Who lives here" section above.
What is the unemployment rate in Cairns City?
#The unemployment rate in Cairns City is 50.0% (ABS Census 2021). That sits right around the median for Australian suburbs. The rate counts people who are working or actively looking for work — not a share of all residents. Workforce participation sits at 50%. The local economy section above covers incomes, employment status and the occupation mix.
Do people own or rent in Cairns City?
#Cairns City is mostly owner-occupied: about 100% of households are owner-occupiers and 50% rent (ABS Census 2021). Of owners, 50% own outright and 50% are paying off a mortgage.
What schools are near Cairns City?
#Cairns City has 45 schools within reach, 2 of them inside the suburb itself — including St Monica's College, St Augustine's College. The Schools section above maps each one with sector, year range, enrolment, Micromarkets-compiled academic ratings and ICSEA (ACARA).
Is Cairns City a good place to live?
#Cairns City, QLD 4870 has a population of 2,156, a median age of 38, a median household income around $823/week, 50% of households renting (ABS Census 2021). There are 45 schools within reach. Whether it's the right fit depends on your priorities — these figures describe the community, housing mix and amenity rather than offer a verdict.
About this data
Methodology and update cadenceWhen was this Cairns City market data last updated?
#This Cairns City market data was last updated July 2026, covering the 12 months to June 2026. Figures are computed monthly from 12-month rolling windows of recorded sales and leases, with five years of monthly history behind the trend charts. Methodology, glossary and data sources are linked in the footer.