Buderim vs Mooloolaba

In both, most households own their home. In Buderim, most homes are detached houses. In Mooloolaba, about half of homes are flats or apartments and about half of households are people living alone. Houses cost more in Mooloolaba: a median of $1.67 million, against $1.38 million in Buderim, though rent is higher in Buderim. On these figures, Buderim tends to suit buyers on a tighter budget, while Mooloolaba suits people living alone.

Which one suits you?

There is no overall winner — the suburb that suits a family with school-age kids is routinely the wrong one for someone commuting into the city. So each of these answers its own question, against a checklist you can see, using the same figures in the tables below.

Families with school-age kids

Buderim

ahead on 6 of the 6 things we measure here

  • has more childcare (15 vs 4)
  • has more schools inside the suburb (3 vs 1)
  • carries lower crime risk (28/100 vs 81/100)

Weighs schools, house stock, crime, parks, childcare, and who already lives there.

First-home buyers

Buderim

ahead on the one thing that separates them

  • has cheaper houses ($1,375,000 vs $1,667,500)

Weighs house prices, unit prices, and mortgage stress.

Renters

Mooloolaba

ahead on 2 of the 3 things we measure here

  • has a bigger rental market to choose from (42% vs 22%)
  • has cheaper rent ($400/wk vs $450/wk)

Weighs rent, rental stress, and how much is for rent.

Commuting to the city

They split

one each way, out of the 4 things we measure here

  • Buderim sits closer to the CBD (94 km vs 97.3 km)
  • Mooloolaba is more walkable (83/100 vs 69/100)

Weighs distance, drive time, rail access, and walkability.

Downsizers and retirees

They split

one each way, out of the 5 things we measure here

  • Buderim carries lower crime risk (28/100 vs 81/100)
  • Mooloolaba has more units and townhouses to downsize into (62% vs 27%)

Weighs smaller dwellings, who already lives there, GPs, walkability, and crime.

Investors

Buderim

ahead on the one thing that separates them

  • returns a higher gross yield on houses (3.2% vs 2.4%)

Weighs house yield, unit yield, and population growth.

Where they sit

Buderim and Mooloolaba drawn to the same scale. Both outlines are shown together, so the map answers whether they share a border and how their areas compare.

Buderim Mooloolaba
Hides rows where both suburbs match

Bars start at zero. Scores, risks and rankings are drawn against their full 0–100 range; other rows are drawn in proportion to the larger of the two.

Side by side, out of 100

Risks are inverted — shown as safety and low exposure — so a longer bar always means better.

Buderim Mooloolaba
Walkability 69 / 83
Buderim — Walkability: 69/100 Mooloolaba — Walkability: 83/100
Safety 72 / 19
Buderim — Safety: 72/100 Mooloolaba — Safety: 19/100
Low fire risk 62 / 100
Buderim — Low fire risk: 62/100 Mooloolaba — Low fire risk: 100/100

Demographics

Buderim has more residents (31,430 vs 8,202); Buderim has higher household incomes ($89,908 vs $78,312).

Buderim Mooloolaba
Population 31,430
+74% vs other
 8,202
Population trend (2016 → 2021) +7.1% +6.1%
Median age 46 44
Median household income $89,908/yr
+13% vs other
 $78,312/yr
Median weekly rent $450/wk
+11% vs other
 $400/wk

Age profile

Share of residents in each band, 2021 Census.

Buderim Mooloolaba
0-4 4.4% / 3.7%
Buderim — 0-4: 4.4% Mooloolaba — 0-4: 3.7%
5-14 12.5% / 9.5%
Buderim — 5-14: 12.5% Mooloolaba — 5-14: 9.5%
15-19 6.0% / 4.3%
Buderim — 15-19: 6.0% Mooloolaba — 15-19: 4.3%
20-24 4.7% / 5.6%
Buderim — 20-24: 4.7% Mooloolaba — 20-24: 5.6%
25-34 9.3% / 14.3%
Buderim — 25-34: 9.3% Mooloolaba — 25-34: 14.3%
35-44 11.4% / 12.9%
Buderim — 35-44: 11.4% Mooloolaba — 35-44: 12.9%
45-54 13.9% / 13.0%
Buderim — 45-54: 13.9% Mooloolaba — 45-54: 13.0%
55-64 12.9% / 14.9%
Buderim — 55-64: 12.9% Mooloolaba — 55-64: 14.9%
65-74 12.6% / 13.7%
Buderim — 65-74: 12.6% Mooloolaba — 65-74: 13.7%
75-84 8.2% / 6.1%
Buderim — 75-84: 8.2% Mooloolaba — 75-84: 6.1%
85+ 4.0% / 1.9%
Buderim — 85+: 4.0% Mooloolaba — 85+: 1.9%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (14.9%).

Who lives together

Household composition, 2021 Census.

Buderim 35.2% lone person
Buderim — Lone Person: 35.2% Buderim — Couple Families: 44.4% Buderim — One Parent Families: 14.6% Buderim — Group Household: 4.7% Buderim — Other Families: 1.0%
Mooloolaba 47.7% lone person
Mooloolaba — Lone Person: 47.7% Mooloolaba — Couple Families: 27.0% Mooloolaba — One Parent Families: 14.3% Mooloolaba — Group Household: 9.8% Mooloolaba — Other Families: 1.2%
Lone Person Couple Families One Parent Families Group Household Other Families

Who owns and who rents

Occupied private dwellings by tenure, 2021 Census.

Buderim 22.4% renting
Buderim — Owned Outright: 40.3% Buderim — Mortgage: 37.3% Buderim — Renting: 22.4%
Mooloolaba 42.5% renting
Mooloolaba — Owned Outright: 33.7% Mooloolaba — Mortgage: 23.8% Mooloolaba — Renting: 42.5%
Owned outright Mortgage Renting

Qualifications

Highest non-school qualification, residents 15+, 2021 Census.

Buderim Mooloolaba
Certificate III & IV 14.9% / 16.8%
Buderim — Certificate III & IV: 14.9% Mooloolaba — Certificate III & IV: 16.8%
Bachelor Degree 15.7% / 15.4%
Buderim — Bachelor Degree: 15.7% Mooloolaba — Bachelor Degree: 15.4%
Advanced Diploma / Diploma 9.5% / 9.3%
Buderim — Advanced Diploma / Diploma: 9.5% Mooloolaba — Advanced Diploma / Diploma: 9.3%
Postgraduate Degree 4.7% / 4.2%
Buderim — Postgraduate Degree: 4.7% Mooloolaba — Postgraduate Degree: 4.2%
Graduate Diploma / Certificate 2.6% / 1.8%
Buderim — Graduate Diploma / Certificate: 2.6% Mooloolaba — Graduate Diploma / Certificate: 1.8%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (16.8%).

Where residents were born

Largest overseas birthplaces, as a share of all residents, 2021 Census. A dash means that country is not among the suburb's own eight largest.

Buderim Mooloolaba
England 7.0% / 5.1%
Buderim — England: 7.0% Mooloolaba — England: 5.1%
New Zealand 4.3% / 6.1%
Buderim — New Zealand: 4.3% Mooloolaba — New Zealand: 6.1%
South Africa 1.9% / 1.2%
Buderim — South Africa: 1.9% Mooloolaba — South Africa: 1.2%
India 0.5% / 1.2%
Buderim — India: 0.5% Mooloolaba — India: 1.2%
Brazil — / 0.9%
Buderim — Brazil: not among its largest Mooloolaba — Brazil: 0.9%
Scotland 0.7% / —
Buderim — Scotland: 0.7% Mooloolaba — Scotland: not among its largest
Germany 0.7% / —
Buderim — Germany: 0.7% Mooloolaba — Germany: not among its largest

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (7.0%).

What people live in

Occupied private dwellings by structure, 2021 Census.

Buderim 73.3% houses
Buderim — Houses: 73.3% Buderim — Flats / Apartments: 10.6% Buderim — Townhouses: 16.1%
Mooloolaba 38.5% houses
Mooloolaba — Houses: 38.5% Mooloolaba — Flats / Apartments: 49.9% Mooloolaba — Townhouses: 11.6%
Houses Flats / Apartments Townhouses

Property market

Buderim Mooloolaba
Median house price $1,375,000 $1,667,500
Median unit price $810,000
same for both
Median land price $1,087,500 —
Typical days to sell (houses) 28 days
from 368 sales
 37 days
from 86 sales

Unit price by bedroom count

Only bed counts both suburbs published enough sales for. Sale counts are shown because the buckets differ in depth.

Buderim Mooloolaba
1 bed $525K / $660K
Buderim — 1 bed: $525K (7 sales) Mooloolaba — 1 bed: $660K (50 sales)

7 vs 50 sales

2 bed $735K / $810K
Buderim — 2 bed: $735K (76 sales) Mooloolaba — 2 bed: $810K (140 sales)

76 vs 140 sales

3 bed $880K / $1.2M
Buderim — 3 bed: $880K (81 sales) Mooloolaba — 3 bed: $1.2M (59 sales)

81 vs 59 sales

House price by bedroom count

Only bed counts both suburbs published enough sales for. Sale counts are shown because the buckets differ in depth.

Buderim Mooloolaba
2 bed $1.1M / $936K
Buderim — 2 bed: $1.1M (18 sales) Mooloolaba — 2 bed: $936K (5 sales)

18 vs 5 sales

3 bed $1.2M / $1.41M
Buderim — 3 bed: $1.2M (180 sales) Mooloolaba — 3 bed: $1.41M (49 sales)

180 vs 49 sales

4 bed $1.4M / $1.8M
Buderim — 4 bed: $1.4M (350 sales) Mooloolaba — 4 bed: $1.8M (40 sales)

350 vs 40 sales

5 bed $1.69M / $2.15M
Buderim — 5 bed: $1.69M (102 sales) Mooloolaba — 5 bed: $2.15M (23 sales)

102 vs 23 sales

Development activity

Buderim Mooloolaba
New dwellings approved 2,962
across Sunshine Coast
same for both
Approvals change year on year -41%
same for both

Gross rental yield

Gross — before strata, rates, management, insurance and vacancy. From median advertised rents and median asking prices over the last 6 months. How we calculate.

Buderim Mooloolaba
Houses 3.2%
$900/wk on $1.45M
 2.4%
$850/wk on $1.85M
Units 4.2%
$645/wk on $805K
 4.1%
$710/wk on $895K

Ranking within QLD

Buderim Mooloolaba
House price —
same for both
Income Higher than 63% of QLD Higher than 49% of QLD
Schools Higher than 95% of QLD —
Walkability Higher than 92% of QLD Higher than 97% of QLD
Affordability —
same for both
EV adoption Higher than 88% of QLD Higher than 87% of QLD
NBN connectivity Higher than 78% of QLD Higher than 71% of QLD
Rental yield (houses) Higher than 15% of QLD Higher than 3% of QLD
Rental yield (units) Higher than 37% of QLD Higher than 35% of QLD

Liveability

Buderim scores higher overall (73 vs 58); Mooloolaba is more walkable (83 vs 69).

Buderim Mooloolaba
Grade A B
Score 73/100 58/100
Socio-economic band advantaged area
decile 8/10
 advantaged area
decile 7/10

Risk profile

Buderim carries more bushfire risk (38 vs 0); Mooloolaba carries more crime risk (81 vs 28).

Buderim Mooloolaba
Bushfire Low
38/100
 None
0/100
Crime Low
28/100
 High
81/100
Flood Not mapped
no mapped data here
same for both
Coastal erosion None
0/100
 Moderate
65/100
Aircraft noise None
0/100
same for both
Industrial facilities nearby 2
within 5 km
 1
within 5 km

Schools

Buderim Mooloolaba
Inside the suburb 3 1
Rated above peers 2 1
Rated at peers 1 0
Rated below peers 0
same for both
Universities within 10 km 1
UniSC Sunshine Coast, 4.4 km
 1
UniSC Sunshine Coast, 5.4 km
Full-time students aged 15–24 1.8% 1.7%

Schools in Buderim

  • Buderim Mountain State School Government · Primary above peers
  • Matthew Flinders Anglican College Independent · Combined above peers
  • Immanuel Lutheran College Independent · Combined at peers

Schools in Mooloolaba

  • Mooloolaba State School Government · Primary above peers

Amenities in the suburb

Buderim Mooloolaba
Supermarkets 6 1
Cafes & restaurants 12 14
Parks & reserves 65 23
Childcare 15 4
GPs 11 4
Pharmacies 6 3
Hospitals 1 0
Banks & Bank@Post 4 1
Fuel stations 1
same for both
EV chargers 1 0
Waterways 50 18

Mobility

Mooloolaba sits further from the CBD (97.3 km vs 94 km).

Buderim Mooloolaba
Walkability score 69/100 83/100
Distance to Brisbane 94 km 97.3 km
+4% vs other
Drive time (normal traffic) 80 min
same for both
Public transport score 76/100
Bus
 78/100
Bus
Peak arrivals per hour 125.0
7-9am + 5-7pm
 110.5
7-9am + 5-7pm
Median peak wait 0 min
scheduled, not actual
same for both
Electric vehicle share 1.3%
postcode 4556
 1.3%
postcode 4557
Rooftop solar per 100 dwellings 73
postcode 4556
 50
postcode 4557

How people get to work

Method of travel on census day 2021 — which fell during COVID restrictions, so working from home is inflated and every travel mode understated.

Buderim Mooloolaba
Car (driver) 72.8% / 70.4%
Buderim — Car (driver): 72.8% Mooloolaba — Car (driver): 70.4%
Worked from Home 19.7% / 17.2%
Buderim — Worked from Home: 19.7% Mooloolaba — Worked from Home: 17.2%
Car (passenger) 4.6% / 4.5%
Buderim — Car (passenger): 4.6% Mooloolaba — Car (passenger): 4.5%
Walked Only 1.3% / 3.9%
Buderim — Walked Only: 1.3% Mooloolaba — Walked Only: 3.9%
Bus 0.9% / 2.2%
Buderim — Bus: 0.9% Mooloolaba — Bus: 2.2%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (72.8%).

Setting

Buderim Mooloolaba
Elevation 119 m
above sea level, at the suburb centre
 2 m
above sea level, at the suburb centre
Distance to the ocean 4.7 km
4.9 km to a named beach
 810 m
1.2 km to a named beach

NBN connectivity

Buderim Mooloolaba
Connectivity score 68/100 56/100
Most common technology Fibre to the node
same for both
Full-fibre (FTTP) share 42%
14,677 premises
 20%
6,174 premises

Air quality (annual mean)

Buderim Mooloolaba
PM2.5 5.0 µg/m³
same for both
PM10 14.0 µg/m³
same for both
NO₂ 0.31 pphm
same for both

Council rates

Buderim Mooloolaba
Average residential rate $1,690/yr
same for both
Council Sunshine Coast
same for both

Federal electorate

Buderim Mooloolaba
Division Fairfax Fisher
Member Ted O'Brien Andrew Wallace
Party Liberal National Party of Queensland
same for both

First Home Owner Grant

Buderim Mooloolaba
Grant amount $30,000
same for both
Property price cap $750,000
same for both
Eligibility New
same for both

Tags

Buderim

Parks Regional Centre

Mooloolaba

Apartments Beach Coastal Parks Regional Centre River

More comparisons

Other comparisons with Buderim

Buderim vs Maroochydore Buderim vs Mountain Creek Buderim vs Sippy Downs Buderim vs Alexandra Headland Buderim vs Kuluin Buderim vs Forest Glen

Other comparisons with Mooloolaba

Mooloolaba vs Mountain Creek Mooloolaba vs Parrearra Mooloolaba vs Buddina Mooloolaba vs Alexandra Headland Mooloolaba vs Minyama
Full data on Buderim Full data on Mooloolaba
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Information shown is provided as-is from Australian government and commercial data sources.
Always verify with the relevant authority before making property decisions.
See Data Sources and How We Calculate for details.

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