Caloundra West vs Golden Beach

Caloundra West is the younger of the two, with a median age of 37 against 55 in Golden Beach. In both, most households own their home and most homes are detached houses. In Caloundra West, about half of households are couple families. In Golden Beach, about half of households are people living alone. Houses cost more in Golden Beach: a median of $1.29 million, against $976,000 in Caloundra West, though rent is higher in Caloundra West. On these figures, Caloundra West tends to suit families with children, couples, and buyers on a tighter budget, while Golden Beach suits people living alone and older residents.

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

Caloundra West

ahead on 2 of the 6 things we measure here

  • is already more of a family suburb (64% vs 40%)
  • has more separate houses rather than flats (83% vs 56%)
  • But Golden Beach has more parks and reserves (12 vs 7)

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

First-home buyers

Caloundra West

ahead on 2 of the 3 things we measure here

  • leaves households under less mortgage stress (27% vs 38%)
  • has cheaper houses ($976,000 vs $1,290,000)

Weighs house prices, unit prices, and mortgage stress.

Renters

They split

one each way, out of the 3 things we measure here

  • Caloundra West leaves renters under less rental stress (30% vs 35%)
  • Golden Beach has cheaper rent ($400/wk vs $465/wk)

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

Commuting to the city

Caloundra West

ahead on 2 of the 4 things we measure here

  • has a shorter drive in (74 min vs 82 min)
  • sits closer to the CBD (84.5 km vs 92.6 km)
  • But Golden Beach is more walkable (50/100 vs 40/100)

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

Downsizers and retirees

Golden Beach

ahead on 3 of the 5 things we measure here

  • has more units and townhouses to downsize into (44% vs 17%)
  • has more residents already 65 and over (36% vs 18%)
  • is more walkable (50/100 vs 40/100)

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

Investors

Caloundra West

ahead on 2 of the 2 things we measure here

  • is growing faster (15.5% vs 1.3%)
  • returns a higher gross yield on houses (4.5% vs 3.1%)

Weighs house yield and population growth.

Where they sit

Caloundra West 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 West 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 West Golden Beach
Walkability 40 / 50
Caloundra West — Walkability: 40/100 Golden Beach — Walkability: 50/100
Safety 58 / 57
Caloundra West — Safety: 58/100 Golden Beach — Safety: 57/100
Low fire risk 100 / 100
Caloundra West — Low fire risk: 100/100 Golden Beach — Low fire risk: 100/100

Demographics

Golden Beach skews older (55 vs 37); Caloundra West has higher household incomes ($81,692 vs $60,008).

Caloundra West Golden Beach
Population 7,270
+22% vs other
 5,646
Population trend (2016 → 2021) +15.5% +1.3%
Median age 37 55
Median household income $81,692/yr
+27% vs other
 $60,008/yr
Median weekly rent $465/wk
+14% vs other
 $400/wk

Age profile

Share of residents in each band, 2021 Census.

Caloundra West Golden Beach
0-4 6.8% / 3.0%
Caloundra West — 0-4: 6.8% Golden Beach — 0-4: 3.0%
5-14 15.8% / 8.7%
Caloundra West — 5-14: 15.8% Golden Beach — 5-14: 8.7%
15-19 6.0% / 4.3%
Caloundra West — 15-19: 6.0% Golden Beach — 15-19: 4.3%
20-24 5.0% / 3.3%
Caloundra West — 20-24: 5.0% Golden Beach — 20-24: 3.3%
25-34 12.4% / 6.5%
Caloundra West — 25-34: 12.4% Golden Beach — 25-34: 6.5%
35-44 15.0% / 10.1%
Caloundra West — 35-44: 15.0% Golden Beach — 35-44: 10.1%
45-54 11.6% / 13.0%
Caloundra West — 45-54: 11.6% Golden Beach — 45-54: 13.0%
55-64 9.4% / 15.2%
Caloundra West — 55-64: 9.4% Golden Beach — 55-64: 15.2%
65-74 9.6% / 18.2%
Caloundra West — 65-74: 9.6% Golden Beach — 65-74: 18.2%
75-84 6.5% / 12.5%
Caloundra West — 75-84: 6.5% Golden Beach — 75-84: 12.5%
85+ 1.8% / 5.2%
Caloundra West — 85+: 1.8% Golden Beach — 85+: 5.2%

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

Who lives together

Household composition, 2021 Census.

Caloundra West 30.5% lone person
Caloundra West — Lone Person: 30.5% Caloundra West — Couple Families: 45.0% Caloundra West — One Parent Families: 19.2% Caloundra West — Group Household: 4.1% Caloundra West — Other Families: 1.2%
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 West 32.8% renting
Caloundra West — Owned Outright: 29.6% Caloundra West — Mortgage: 37.6% Caloundra West — Renting: 32.8%
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 West Golden Beach
Certificate III & IV 18.8% / 17.7%
Caloundra West — Certificate III & IV: 18.8% Golden Beach — Certificate III & IV: 17.7%
Bachelor Degree 9.1% / 10.1%
Caloundra West — Bachelor Degree: 9.1% Golden Beach — Bachelor Degree: 10.1%
Advanced Diploma / Diploma 8.5% / 8.6%
Caloundra West — Advanced Diploma / Diploma: 8.5% Golden Beach — Advanced Diploma / Diploma: 8.6%
Postgraduate Degree 1.9% / 2.8%
Caloundra West — Postgraduate Degree: 1.9% Golden Beach — Postgraduate Degree: 2.8%
Graduate Diploma / Certificate 1.5% / 1.8%
Caloundra West — Graduate Diploma / Certificate: 1.5% Golden Beach — Graduate Diploma / Certificate: 1.8%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (18.8%).

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.

Caloundra West Golden Beach
England 6.0% / 5.1%
Caloundra West — England: 6.0% Golden Beach — England: 5.1%
New Zealand 5.8% / 3.8%
Caloundra West — New Zealand: 5.8% Golden Beach — New Zealand: 3.8%
South Africa 0.9% / 0.8%
Caloundra West — South Africa: 0.9% Golden Beach — South Africa: 0.8%
Scotland 0.6% / 0.6%
Caloundra West — Scotland: 0.6% Golden Beach — Scotland: 0.6%
India 1.1% / —
Caloundra West — India: 1.1% Golden Beach — India: not among its largest
Philippines 0.5% / 0.5%
Caloundra West — Philippines: 0.5% Golden Beach — Philippines: 0.5%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (6.0%).

What people live in

Occupied private dwellings by structure, 2021 Census.

Caloundra West 83.2% houses
Caloundra West — Houses: 83.2% Caloundra West — Flats / Apartments: 0.3% Caloundra West — Townhouses: 16.6%
Golden Beach 56.5% houses
Golden Beach — Houses: 56.5% Golden Beach — Flats / Apartments: 30.9% Golden Beach — Townhouses: 12.7%
Houses Flats / Apartments Townhouses

Property market

Caloundra West Golden Beach
Median house price $976,000 $1,290,000
Median unit price $805,000 $870,000
Median land price — $1,200,000
Typical days to sell (houses) 22 days
from 69 sales
 32 days
from 96 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 West Golden Beach
2 bed $742K / $1.04M
Caloundra West — 2 bed: $742K (6 sales) Golden Beach — 2 bed: $1.04M (14 sales)

6 vs 14 sales

3 bed $880K / $1.26M
Caloundra West — 3 bed: $880K (52 sales) Golden Beach — 3 bed: $1.26M (77 sales)

52 vs 77 sales

4 bed $1.05M / $1.34M
Caloundra West — 4 bed: $1.05M (81 sales) Golden Beach — 4 bed: $1.34M (39 sales)

81 vs 39 sales

5 bed $1.18M / $1.53M
Caloundra West — 5 bed: $1.18M (17 sales) Golden Beach — 5 bed: $1.53M (14 sales)

17 vs 14 sales

Development activity

Caloundra West 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 West Golden Beach
Houses 4.5%
$825/wk on $950K
 3.1%
$788/wk on $1.34M
Units — 3.8%
$700/wk on $950K

Ranking within QLD

Caloundra West Golden Beach
House price —
same for both
Income Higher than 53% of QLD Higher than 25% of QLD
Schools —
same for both
Walkability Higher than 84% 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 94% of QLD Higher than 89% of QLD
Rental yield (houses) Higher than 77% of QLD Higher than 12% of QLD
Rental yield (units) — Higher than 24% of QLD

Liveability

Golden Beach is more walkable (50 vs 40).

Caloundra West Golden Beach
Grade B
same for both
Score 62/100 60/100
Socio-economic band mid-range socio-economic
decile 5/10
 mid-range socio-economic
decile 4/10

Risk profile

Caloundra West Golden Beach
Bushfire None
0/100
same for both
Crime Moderate
42/100
 Moderate
43/100
Flood Not mapped
no mapped data here
same for both
Coastal erosion None
0/100
 High
82/100
Aircraft noise None
0/100
same for both
Industrial facilities nearby 3
within 5 km
 1
within 5 km

Schools

Caloundra West Golden Beach
Inside the suburb 1
same for both
Rated above peers 0
same for both
Rated at peers 1
same for both
Rated below peers 0
same for both
Universities within 10 km 1
UniSC Sunshine Coast, 9.2 km
 None

Schools in Caloundra West

  • Unity College Catholic · Combined at peers

Schools in Golden Beach

  • Golden Beach State School Government · Primary at peers

Amenities in the suburb

Caloundra West Golden Beach
Supermarkets 1 0
Cafes & restaurants 2 7
Parks & reserves 7 12
Childcare 4 2
GPs 1 0
Pharmacies 1
same for both
Banks & Bank@Post 0 1
Fuel stations 2 0
Waterways 5 1

Mobility

Golden Beach sits further from the CBD (92.6 km vs 84.5 km).

Caloundra West Golden Beach
Walkability score 40/100 50/100
Distance to Brisbane 84.5 km 92.6 km
+10% vs other
Drive time (normal traffic) 74 min 82 min
Public transport score 70/100
Bus
 71/100
Bus
Peak arrivals per hour 23.0
7-9am + 5-7pm
 27.0
7-9am + 5-7pm
Median peak wait 1 min
scheduled, not actual
same for both
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 West Golden Beach
Car (driver) 79.9% / 75.1%
Caloundra West — Car (driver): 79.9% Golden Beach — Car (driver): 75.1%
Worked from Home 12.7% / 15.5%
Caloundra West — Worked from Home: 12.7% Golden Beach — Worked from Home: 15.5%
Car (passenger) 4.9% / 3.9%
Caloundra West — Car (passenger): 4.9% Golden Beach — Car (passenger): 3.9%
Walked Only 1.1% / 2.6%
Caloundra West — Walked Only: 1.1% Golden Beach — Walked Only: 2.6%
Bicycle 0.4% / 1.3%
Caloundra West — Bicycle: 0.4% Golden Beach — Bicycle: 1.3%
Bus 0.6% / 0.9%
Caloundra West — Bus: 0.6% Golden Beach — Bus: 0.9%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (79.9%).

Setting

Caloundra West Golden Beach
Elevation 3 m
above sea level, at the suburb centre
same for both
Distance to the ocean 2.2 km
2.4 km to a named beach
 293 m
951 m to a named beach

NBN connectivity

Caloundra West Golden Beach
Connectivity score 86/100 77/100
Most common technology Fibre to the premises
same for both
Full-fibre (FTTP) share 61%
3,360 premises
 33%
3,921 premises

Climate

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

Federal electorate

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

Tags

Caloundra West

Coastal Family Parks Quiet

Golden Beach

Beach Coastal Parks Retirees

More comparisons

Other comparisons with Caloundra West

Caloundra West vs Little Mountain Caloundra West vs Pelican Waters Caloundra West vs Baringa Caloundra West vs Caloundra Caloundra West vs Aroona Caloundra West vs Bells Creek

Other comparisons with Golden Beach

Golden Beach vs Pelican Waters Golden Beach vs Caloundra Golden Beach vs Coochin Creek
Full data on Caloundra West Full data on Golden Beach
Unlock full address-level data — $29/month

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.

Save this page for later

We'll email you a link to this page so you can finish reading it on any device. We use your address once to send it and don't keep it.

or