Cairns vs Townsville
Cost of living, weather, jobs and lifestyle, side by side. Pick any two cities to switch.
| Fact | Cairns | Townsville |
|---|---|---|
| Population1 | 160,000 | 200,000 |
| State | Queensland | Queensland |
| Median house price2 | $580k | $480k |
| Median weekly rent (house)2 | $580 | $520 |
| Average summer day3 | 31°C | 31°C |
| Average winter day3 | 26°C | 25°C |
| Annual rainfall3 | 2000 mm | 1100 mm |
| Time zone4 | AEST (UTC+10) | AEST (UTC+10) |
| Main industries5 | Tourism, health, aviation, agriculture | Defence, mining services, health, education |
Cairns and Townsville share the same time zone all year. Figures are rounded, indicative values and are a guide only.
What it's really like: Cairns and Townsville beyond the numbers
What each city is known for
Cairns. The gateway to the Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree Rainforest, the Esplanade Lagoon, and Kuranda.
Townsville. The Strand foreshore, Magnetic Island, and Castle Hill views. It is also home to a major Army base.
Getting around
Cairns. Sunbus services run locally, but driving is the norm. The international airport links to Asia.
Townsville. Local buses run, but a car is essential. Ferries cross to Magnetic Island in 20 minutes.
Sport
Cairns. Rugby league, fishing and diving, plus the Cairns Ironman.
Townsville. The North Queensland Cowboys (NRL) play at Queensland Country Bank Stadium. Basketball is also popular.
Day-to-day life
Cairns. A tropical, tourism-driven city with a wet season from roughly December to April. Housing is cheaper than in the south-east.
Townsville. Sunny and dry for the tropics, with relatively affordable housing and an economy built on defence, mining services, health and the university.
Sources: Translink Queensland · Tourism Tropical North Queensland · Translink Queensland · Townsville North Queensland