Caloundra West vs Pelican Waters

Caloundra West is the younger of the two, with a median age of 37 against 55 in Pelican Waters. In both, most households own their home and the large majority of homes are detached houses. In Caloundra West, about half of households are couple families. In Pelican Waters, most households are couple families. Houses cost more in Pelican Waters: a median of $1.53 million, against $976,000 in Caloundra West, and rent is higher there too. On these figures, Caloundra West tends to suit families with children and buyers on a tighter budget, while Pelican Waters suits couples 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

Pelican Waters

ahead on 2 of the 6 things we measure here

  • has more parks and reserves (13 vs 7)
  • carries lower crime risk (27/100 vs 42/100)

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

First-home buyers

Caloundra West

ahead on 3 of the 3 things we measure here

  • has cheaper houses ($976,000 vs $1,530,000)
  • leaves households under less mortgage stress (27% vs 33%)
  • has cheaper units ($805,000 vs $900,000)

Weighs house prices, unit prices, and mortgage stress.

Renters

Caloundra West

ahead on 3 of the 3 things we measure here

  • has a bigger rental market to choose from (33% vs 13%)
  • leaves renters under less rental stress (30% vs 35%)
  • has cheaper rent ($465/wk vs $540/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

  • sits closer to the CBD (84.5 km vs 94 km)
  • has a shorter drive in (74 min vs 81 min)
  • But Pelican Waters is more walkable (68/100 vs 40/100)

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

Downsizers and retirees

Pelican Waters

ahead on 3 of the 5 things we measure here

  • has more residents already 65 and over (34% vs 18%)
  • is more walkable (68/100 vs 40/100)
  • carries lower crime risk (27/100 vs 42/100)

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

Investors

Caloundra West

ahead on the one thing that separates them

  • returns a higher gross yield on houses (4.5% vs 3.5%)

Weighs house yield and population growth.

Where they sit

Caloundra West and Pelican Waters 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 Pelican Waters
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 Pelican Waters
Walkability 40 / 68
Caloundra West — Walkability: 40/100 Pelican Waters — Walkability: 68/100
Safety 58 / 73
Caloundra West — Safety: 58/100 Pelican Waters — Safety: 73/100
Low fire risk 100 / 100
Caloundra West — Low fire risk: 100/100 Pelican Waters — Low fire risk: 100/100

Demographics

Pelican Waters skews older (55 vs 37); Pelican Waters rents higher ($540/wk vs $465/wk).

Caloundra West Pelican Waters
Population 7,270 7,393
+2% vs other
Population trend (2016 → 2021) +15.5% +17.8%
Median age 37 55
Median household income $81,692/yr
+1% vs other
 $80,704/yr
Median weekly rent $465/wk $540/wk
+16% vs other

Age profile

Share of residents in each band, 2021 Census.

Caloundra West Pelican Waters
0-4 6.8% / 3.0%
Caloundra West — 0-4: 6.8% Pelican Waters — 0-4: 3.0%
5-14 15.8% / 10.8%
Caloundra West — 5-14: 15.8% Pelican Waters — 5-14: 10.8%
15-19 6.0% / 5.8%
Caloundra West — 15-19: 6.0% Pelican Waters — 15-19: 5.8%
20-24 5.0% / 3.2%
Caloundra West — 20-24: 5.0% Pelican Waters — 20-24: 3.2%
25-34 12.4% / 4.7%
Caloundra West — 25-34: 12.4% Pelican Waters — 25-34: 4.7%
35-44 15.0% / 7.2%
Caloundra West — 35-44: 15.0% Pelican Waters — 35-44: 7.2%
45-54 11.6% / 14.6%
Caloundra West — 45-54: 11.6% Pelican Waters — 45-54: 14.6%
55-64 9.4% / 17.1%
Caloundra West — 55-64: 9.4% Pelican Waters — 55-64: 17.1%
65-74 9.6% / 20.2%
Caloundra West — 65-74: 9.6% Pelican Waters — 65-74: 20.2%
75-84 6.5% / 11.1%
Caloundra West — 75-84: 6.5% Pelican Waters — 75-84: 11.1%
85+ 1.8% / 2.3%
Caloundra West — 85+: 1.8% Pelican Waters — 85+: 2.3%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (20.2%).

Who lives together

Household composition, 2021 Census.

Caloundra West 45.0% couple families
Caloundra West — Couple Families: 45.0% Caloundra West — Lone Person: 30.5% Caloundra West — One Parent Families: 19.2% Caloundra West — Group Household: 4.1% Caloundra West — Other Families: 1.2%
Pelican Waters 55.1% couple families
Pelican Waters — Couple Families: 55.1% Pelican Waters — Lone Person: 27.2% Pelican Waters — One Parent Families: 14.3% Pelican Waters — Group Household: 2.3% Pelican Waters — Other Families: 1.2%
Couple Families Lone Person 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%
Pelican Waters 12.9% renting
Pelican Waters — Owned Outright: 57.3% Pelican Waters — Mortgage: 29.8% Pelican Waters — Renting: 12.9%
Owned outright Mortgage Renting

Qualifications

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

Caloundra West Pelican Waters
Certificate III & IV 18.8% / 16.7%
Caloundra West — Certificate III & IV: 18.8% Pelican Waters — Certificate III & IV: 16.7%
Bachelor Degree 9.1% / 11.3%
Caloundra West — Bachelor Degree: 9.1% Pelican Waters — Bachelor Degree: 11.3%
Advanced Diploma / Diploma 8.5% / 10.8%
Caloundra West — Advanced Diploma / Diploma: 8.5% Pelican Waters — Advanced Diploma / Diploma: 10.8%
Postgraduate Degree 1.9% / 3.6%
Caloundra West — Postgraduate Degree: 1.9% Pelican Waters — Postgraduate Degree: 3.6%
Graduate Diploma / Certificate 1.5% / 1.9%
Caloundra West — Graduate Diploma / Certificate: 1.5% Pelican Waters — Graduate Diploma / Certificate: 1.9%

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 Pelican Waters
England 6.0% / 9.1%
Caloundra West — England: 6.0% Pelican Waters — England: 9.1%
New Zealand 5.8% / 4.8%
Caloundra West — New Zealand: 5.8% Pelican Waters — New Zealand: 4.8%
South Africa 0.9% / 1.6%
Caloundra West — South Africa: 0.9% Pelican Waters — South Africa: 1.6%
India 1.1% / 0.4%
Caloundra West — India: 1.1% Pelican Waters — India: 0.4%
Scotland 0.6% / 0.9%
Caloundra West — Scotland: 0.6% Pelican Waters — Scotland: 0.9%
Germany 0.4% / 0.6%
Caloundra West — Germany: 0.4% Pelican Waters — Germany: 0.6%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (9.1%).

What people live in

Occupied private dwellings by structure, 2021 Census.

Caloundra West 83.2% houses
Caloundra West — Houses: 83.2% Caloundra West — Townhouses: 16.6% Caloundra West — Flats / Apartments: 0.3%
Pelican Waters 88.0% houses
Pelican Waters — Houses: 88.0% Pelican Waters — Townhouses: 6.4% Pelican Waters — Flats / Apartments: 5.5%
Houses Townhouses Flats / Apartments

Property market

Caloundra West Pelican Waters
Median house price $976,000 $1,530,000
Median unit price $805,000 $900,000
Median land price — $1,450,000
Typical days to sell (houses) 22 days
from 69 sales
 38 days
from 118 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 Pelican Waters
3 bed $880K / $1.46M
Caloundra West — 3 bed: $880K (52 sales) Pelican Waters — 3 bed: $1.46M (20 sales)

52 vs 20 sales

4 bed $1.05M / $1.45M
Caloundra West — 4 bed: $1.05M (81 sales) Pelican Waters — 4 bed: $1.45M (167 sales)

81 vs 167 sales

5 bed $1.18M / $1.75M
Caloundra West — 5 bed: $1.18M (17 sales) Pelican Waters — 5 bed: $1.75M (37 sales)

17 vs 37 sales

Development activity

Caloundra West Pelican Waters
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 Pelican Waters
Houses 4.5%
$825/wk on $950K
 3.5%
$1,035/wk on $1.55M
Units — 4.9%
$910/wk on $975K

Ranking within QLD

Caloundra West Pelican Waters
House price —
same for both
Income Higher than 53% of QLD Higher than 51% of QLD
Schools —
same for both
Walkability Higher than 84% of QLD Higher than 91% of QLD
Affordability —
same for both
EV adoption Higher than 81% of QLD
same for both
NBN connectivity Higher than 94% of QLD
same for both
Rental yield (houses) Higher than 77% of QLD Higher than 24% of QLD
Rental yield (units) — Higher than 69% of QLD

Liveability

Pelican Waters is more walkable (68 vs 40); Pelican Waters scores higher overall (78 vs 62).

Caloundra West Pelican Waters
Grade B A
Score 62/100 78/100
Socio-economic band mid-range socio-economic
decile 5/10
 advantaged area
decile 8/10

Risk profile

Caloundra West carries more crime risk (42 vs 27).

Caloundra West Pelican Waters
Bushfire None
0/100
same for both
Crime Moderate
42/100
 Low
27/100
Flood Not mapped
no mapped data here
same for both
Coastal erosion None
0/100
same for both
Aircraft noise None
0/100
same for both
Industrial facilities nearby 3
within 5 km
 1
within 5 km

Schools

Caloundra West Pelican Waters
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 Pelican Waters

  • Caloundra City Private School Independent · Combined at peers

Amenities in the suburb

Caloundra West Pelican Waters
Supermarkets 1 2
Cafes & restaurants 2 0
Parks & reserves 7 13
Childcare 4
same for both
GPs 1
same for both
Pharmacies 1
same for both
Fuel stations 2 0
Waterways 5 8

Mobility

Pelican Waters sits further from the CBD (94 km vs 84.5 km).

Caloundra West Pelican Waters
Walkability score 40/100 68/100
Distance to Brisbane 84.5 km 94 km
+11% vs other
Drive time (normal traffic) 74 min 81 min
Public transport score 70/100
Bus
 45/100
Bus
Peak arrivals per hour 23.0
7-9am + 5-7pm
 11.0
7-9am + 5-7pm
Median peak wait 1 min
scheduled, not actual
 2 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 West Pelican Waters
Car (driver) 79.9% / 68.2%
Caloundra West — Car (driver): 79.9% Pelican Waters — Car (driver): 68.2%
Worked from Home 12.7% / 24.0%
Caloundra West — Worked from Home: 12.7% Pelican Waters — Worked from Home: 24.0%
Car (passenger) 4.9% / 5.1%
Caloundra West — Car (passenger): 4.9% Pelican Waters — Car (passenger): 5.1%
Walked Only 1.1% / 0.9%
Caloundra West — Walked Only: 1.1% Pelican Waters — Walked Only: 0.9%
Bicycle 0.4% / 0.9%
Caloundra West — Bicycle: 0.4% Pelican Waters — Bicycle: 0.9%
Bus 0.6% / 0.4%
Caloundra West — Bus: 0.6% Pelican Waters — Bus: 0.4%

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

Setting

Caloundra West Pelican Waters
Elevation 3 m
above sea level, at the suburb centre
 1 m
above sea level, at the suburb centre
Distance to the ocean 2.2 km
2.4 km to a named beach
 1.5 km
2.9 km to a named beach

NBN connectivity

Caloundra West Pelican Waters
Connectivity score 86/100
same for both
Most common technology Fibre to the premises
same for both
Full-fibre (FTTP) share 61%
3,360 premises
 62%
3,598 premises

Climate

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

Federal electorate

Caloundra West Pelican Waters
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 Pelican Waters
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

Pelican Waters

Coastal Large Blocks Parks Premium Quiet Retirees River

More comparisons

Other comparisons with Caloundra West

Caloundra West vs Little Mountain Caloundra West vs Golden Beach Caloundra West vs Baringa Caloundra West vs Caloundra Caloundra West vs Aroona Caloundra West vs Bells Creek

Other comparisons with Pelican Waters

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