Caloundra vs Golden Beach

Golden Beach is the younger of the two, with a median age of 55 against 58 in Caloundra. In both, most households own their home. In Caloundra, about half of homes are flats or apartments and most households are people living alone. In Golden Beach, most homes are detached houses and about half of households are people living alone. Houses cost more in Golden Beach: a median of $1.29 million, against $1 million in Caloundra, and rent is higher there too. On these figures, Caloundra tends to suit people living alone and buyers on a tighter budget.

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

They split

one each way, out of the 6 things we measure here

  • Caloundra has more schools inside the suburb (4 vs 1)
  • Golden Beach has more separate houses rather than flats (56% vs 24%)

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

First-home buyers

Caloundra

ahead on the one thing that separates them

  • has cheaper houses ($1,002,000 vs $1,290,000)

Weighs house prices, unit prices, and mortgage stress.

Renters

Caloundra

ahead on 2 of the 3 things we measure here

  • has a bigger rental market to choose from (44% vs 32%)
  • has cheaper rent ($360/wk vs $400/wk)

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

Commuting to the city

Caloundra

ahead on the one thing that separates them

  • is more walkable (89/100 vs 50/100)

Weighs distance, drive time, and walkability.

Downsizers and retirees

Caloundra

ahead on 3 of the 5 things we measure here

  • has more GPs (9 vs 0)
  • is more walkable (89/100 vs 50/100)
  • has more units and townhouses to downsize into (76% vs 44%)
  • But Golden Beach carries lower crime risk (43/100 vs 93/100)

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

Investors

Caloundra

ahead on the one thing that separates them

  • returns a higher gross yield on houses (4.1% vs 3.1%)

Weighs house yield, unit yield, and population growth.

Where they sit

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

Caloundra Golden Beach
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.

Caloundra Golden Beach
Walkability 89 / 50
Caloundra — Walkability: 89/100 Golden Beach — Walkability: 50/100
Safety 7 / 57
Caloundra — Safety: 7/100 Golden Beach — Safety: 57/100
Low fire risk 100 / 100
Caloundra — Low fire risk: 100/100 Golden Beach — Low fire risk: 100/100

Demographics

Golden Beach has more residents (5,646 vs 3,932); Golden Beach has higher household incomes ($60,008 vs $50,960).

Caloundra Golden Beach
Population 3,932 5,646
+44% vs other
Population trend (2016 → 2021) +0.4% +1.3%
Median age 58 55
Median household income $50,960/yr $60,008/yr
+18% vs other
Median weekly rent $360/wk $400/wk
+11% vs other

Age profile

Share of residents in each band, 2021 Census.

Caloundra Golden Beach
0-4 2.6% / 3.0%
Caloundra — 0-4: 2.6% Golden Beach — 0-4: 3.0%
5-14 6.0% / 8.7%
Caloundra — 5-14: 6.0% Golden Beach — 5-14: 8.7%
15-19 4.0% / 4.3%
Caloundra — 15-19: 4.0% Golden Beach — 15-19: 4.3%
20-24 4.1% / 3.3%
Caloundra — 20-24: 4.1% Golden Beach — 20-24: 3.3%
25-34 8.8% / 6.5%
Caloundra — 25-34: 8.8% Golden Beach — 25-34: 6.5%
35-44 8.8% / 10.1%
Caloundra — 35-44: 8.8% Golden Beach — 35-44: 10.1%
45-54 11.4% / 13.0%
Caloundra — 45-54: 11.4% Golden Beach — 45-54: 13.0%
55-64 16.1% / 15.2%
Caloundra — 55-64: 16.1% Golden Beach — 55-64: 15.2%
65-74 17.1% / 18.2%
Caloundra — 65-74: 17.1% Golden Beach — 65-74: 18.2%
75-84 13.9% / 12.5%
Caloundra — 75-84: 13.9% Golden Beach — 75-84: 12.5%
85+ 7.2% / 5.2%
Caloundra — 85+: 7.2% Golden Beach — 85+: 5.2%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (18.2%).

Who lives together

Household composition, 2021 Census.

Caloundra 60.9% lone person
Caloundra — Lone Person: 60.9% Caloundra — Couple Families: 17.7% Caloundra — One Parent Families: 15.3% Caloundra — Group Household: 4.7% Caloundra — Other Families: 1.4%
Golden Beach 52.3% lone person
Golden Beach — Lone Person: 52.3% Golden Beach — Couple Families: 24.0% Golden Beach — One Parent Families: 16.1% Golden Beach — Group Household: 6.2% Golden Beach — Other Families: 1.4%
Lone Person Couple Families One Parent Families Group Household Other Families

Who owns and who rents

Occupied private dwellings by tenure, 2021 Census.

Caloundra 44.2% renting
Caloundra — Owned Outright: 40.5% Caloundra — Mortgage: 15.3% Caloundra — Renting: 44.2%
Golden Beach 32.3% renting
Golden Beach — Owned Outright: 48.4% Golden Beach — Mortgage: 19.4% Golden Beach — Renting: 32.3%
Owned outright Mortgage Renting

Qualifications

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

Caloundra Golden Beach
Certificate III & IV 16.7% / 17.7%
Caloundra — Certificate III & IV: 16.7% Golden Beach — Certificate III & IV: 17.7%
Bachelor Degree 10.7% / 10.1%
Caloundra — Bachelor Degree: 10.7% Golden Beach — Bachelor Degree: 10.1%
Advanced Diploma / Diploma 8.5% / 8.6%
Caloundra — Advanced Diploma / Diploma: 8.5% Golden Beach — Advanced Diploma / Diploma: 8.6%
Postgraduate Degree 2.9% / 2.8%
Caloundra — Postgraduate Degree: 2.9% Golden Beach — Postgraduate Degree: 2.8%
Graduate Diploma / Certificate 1.8% / 1.8%
Caloundra — Graduate Diploma / Certificate: 1.8% Golden Beach — Graduate Diploma / Certificate: 1.8%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (17.7%).

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.

Caloundra Golden Beach
England 5.5% / 5.1%
Caloundra — England: 5.5% Golden Beach — England: 5.1%
New Zealand 5.3% / 3.8%
Caloundra — New Zealand: 5.3% Golden Beach — New Zealand: 3.8%
Scotland 0.9% / 0.6%
Caloundra — Scotland: 0.9% Golden Beach — Scotland: 0.6%
South Africa 0.5% / 0.8%
Caloundra — South Africa: 0.5% Golden Beach — South Africa: 0.8%
Philippines 0.5% / 0.5%
Caloundra — Philippines: 0.5% Golden Beach — Philippines: 0.5%
Nepal 0.7% / —
Caloundra — Nepal: 0.7% Golden Beach — Nepal: not among its largest

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (5.5%).

What people live in

Occupied private dwellings by structure, 2021 Census.

Caloundra 49.6% flats / apartments
Caloundra — Flats / Apartments: 49.6% Caloundra — Houses: 23.6% Caloundra — Townhouses: 26.8%
Golden Beach 30.9% flats / apartments
Golden Beach — Flats / Apartments: 30.9% Golden Beach — Houses: 56.5% Golden Beach — Townhouses: 12.7%
Flats / Apartments Houses Townhouses

Property market

Caloundra Golden Beach
Median house price $1,002,000 $1,290,000
Median unit price $880,000 $870,000
Median land price — $1,200,000
Typical days to sell (houses) 22 days
from 22 sales
 32 days
from 96 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.

Caloundra Golden Beach
1 bed $604K / $650K
Caloundra — 1 bed: $604K (18 sales) Golden Beach — 1 bed: $650K (16 sales)

18 vs 16 sales

2 bed $865K / $854K
Caloundra — 2 bed: $865K (94 sales) Golden Beach — 2 bed: $854K (58 sales)

94 vs 58 sales

3 bed $1.25M / $1.32M
Caloundra — 3 bed: $1.25M (37 sales) Golden Beach — 3 bed: $1.32M (26 sales)

37 vs 26 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.

Caloundra Golden Beach
2 bed $960K / $1.04M
Caloundra — 2 bed: $960K (11 sales) Golden Beach — 2 bed: $1.04M (14 sales)

11 vs 14 sales

3 bed $946K / $1.26M
Caloundra — 3 bed: $946K (21 sales) Golden Beach — 3 bed: $1.26M (77 sales)

21 vs 77 sales

4 bed $1.23M / $1.34M
Caloundra — 4 bed: $1.23M (6 sales) Golden Beach — 4 bed: $1.34M (39 sales)

6 vs 39 sales

5 bed $1.35M / $1.53M
Caloundra — 5 bed: $1.35M (5 sales) Golden Beach — 5 bed: $1.53M (14 sales)

5 vs 14 sales

Development activity

Caloundra Golden Beach
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.

Caloundra Golden Beach
Houses 4.1%
$780/wk on $995K
 3.1%
$788/wk on $1.34M
Units 4.0%
$695/wk on $900K
 3.8%
$700/wk on $950K

Ranking within QLD

Caloundra Golden Beach
House price —
same for both
Income Higher than 14% of QLD Higher than 25% of QLD
Schools Higher than 60% of QLD —
Walkability Higher than 98% of QLD Higher than 87% of QLD
Affordability —
same for both
EV adoption Higher than 81% of QLD Higher than 82% of QLD
NBN connectivity Higher than 85% of QLD Higher than 89% of QLD
Rental yield (houses) Higher than 59% of QLD Higher than 12% of QLD
Rental yield (units) Higher than 32% of QLD Higher than 24% of QLD

Liveability

Caloundra is more walkable (89 vs 50); Golden Beach scores higher overall (60 vs 46).

Caloundra Golden Beach
Grade C B
Score 46/100 60/100
Socio-economic band below-average income
decile 2/10
 mid-range socio-economic
decile 4/10

Risk profile

Caloundra carries more crime risk (93 vs 43).

Caloundra Golden Beach
Bushfire None
0/100
same for both
Crime High
93/100
 Moderate
43/100
Flood Not mapped
no mapped data here
same for both
Coastal erosion High
86/100
 High
82/100
Aircraft noise None
0/100
same for both
Industrial facilities nearby 1
within 5 km
same for both

Schools

Caloundra Golden Beach
Inside the suburb 4 1
Rated above peers 1 0
Rated at peers 2 1
Rated below peers 0
same for both
Universities within 10 km 1
UniSC Sunshine Coast, 9.6 km
 None

Schools in Caloundra

  • Caloundra State School Government · Primary above peers
  • Caloundra Christian College Independent · Combined at peers
  • Caloundra State High School Government · Secondary at peers
  • Kairos Community College - Caloundra Campus Independent · Secondary · Special school

Schools in Golden Beach

  • Golden Beach State School Government · Primary at peers

Amenities in the suburb

Caloundra Golden Beach
Supermarkets 5 0
Cafes & restaurants 26 7
Parks & reserves 10 12
Childcare 7 2
GPs 9 0
Pharmacies 7 1
Hospitals 1 0
Police stations 1 0
Banks & Bank@Post 9 1
Fuel stations 2 0
EV chargers 1 0
Waterways 6 1

Mobility

Caloundra Golden Beach
Walkability score 89/100 50/100
Distance to Brisbane 91.3 km 92.6 km
+1% vs other
Drive time (normal traffic) 81 min 82 min
Public transport score 78/100
Bus
 71/100
Bus
Peak arrivals per hour 84.8
7-9am + 5-7pm
 27.0
7-9am + 5-7pm
Median peak wait 0 min
scheduled, not actual
 1 min
scheduled, not actual
Electric vehicle share 1.0%
postcode 4551
same for both
Rooftop solar per 100 dwellings 72
postcode 4551
same for both

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.

Caloundra Golden Beach
Car (driver) 66.9% / 75.1%
Caloundra — Car (driver): 66.9% Golden Beach — Car (driver): 75.1%
Worked from Home 14.9% / 15.5%
Caloundra — Worked from Home: 14.9% Golden Beach — Worked from Home: 15.5%
Walked Only 9.9% / 2.6%
Caloundra — Walked Only: 9.9% Golden Beach — Walked Only: 2.6%
Car (passenger) 4.5% / 3.9%
Caloundra — Car (passenger): 4.5% Golden Beach — Car (passenger): 3.9%
Bicycle 2.0% / 1.3%
Caloundra — Bicycle: 2.0% Golden Beach — Bicycle: 1.3%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (75.1%).

Setting

Caloundra Golden Beach
Elevation 4 m
above sea level, at the suburb centre
 3 m
above sea level, at the suburb centre
Distance to the ocean 794 m
1.5 km to a named beach
 293 m
951 m to a named beach

NBN connectivity

Caloundra Golden Beach
Connectivity score 75/100 77/100
Most common technology Fibre to the curb Fibre to the premises
Full-fibre (FTTP) share 18%
4,232 premises
 33%
3,921 premises

Climate

Caloundra Golden Beach
Annual rainfall 1,052 mm
same for both
Summer max (Jan) 27.8°C
same for both
Winter min (Jul) 14.7°C
same for both

Air quality (annual mean)

Caloundra Golden Beach
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

Caloundra Golden Beach
Average residential rate $1,690/yr
same for both
Council Sunshine Coast
same for both

Federal electorate

Caloundra Golden Beach
Division Fisher
same for both
Member Andrew Wallace
same for both
Party Liberal National Party of Queensland
same for both

First Home Owner Grant

Caloundra Golden Beach
Grant amount $30,000
same for both
Property price cap $750,000
same for both
Eligibility New
same for both

Tags

Caloundra

Apartments Cafe Culture Coastal Parks Retirees Townhouses

Golden Beach

Beach Coastal Parks Retirees

More comparisons

Other comparisons with Caloundra

Caloundra vs Caloundra West Caloundra vs Aroona Caloundra vs Kings Beach Caloundra vs Moffat Beach Caloundra vs Battery Hill Caloundra vs Dicky Beach

Other comparisons with Golden Beach

Golden Beach vs Pelican Waters Golden Beach vs Caloundra West Golden Beach vs Coochin Creek
Full data on Caloundra Full data on Golden Beach
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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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