Caravonica vs Smithfield

Smithfield is the younger of the two, with a median age of 34 against 46 in Caravonica. In both, most households own their home and the large majority of homes are detached houses. In Smithfield, about half of households are couple families. Houses cost more in Smithfield: a median of $815,000, against $745,000 in Caravonica, and rent is higher there too. On these figures, Caravonica tends to suit 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

Smithfield

ahead on 2 of the 6 things we measure here

  • has more childcare (4 vs 0)
  • has more parks and reserves (10 vs 3)
  • But Caravonica carries lower crime risk (48/100 vs 81/100)

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

First-home buyers

Caravonica

ahead on 2 of the 4 things we measure here

  • has cheaper land ($370,000 vs $875,000)
  • has cheaper units ($420,000 vs $468,000)

Weighs house prices, unit prices, land prices, and mortgage stress.

Renters

They split

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

  • Caravonica has cheaper rent ($360/wk vs $420/wk)
  • Smithfield has a bigger rental market to choose from (33% vs 19%)

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

Commuting to the city

They split

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

  • Caravonica sits closer to the CBD (1709.2 km vs 1713.8 km)
  • Smithfield is more walkable (59/100 vs 12/100)

Weighs distance, drive time, and walkability.

Downsizers and retirees

They split

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

  • Caravonica has more residents already 65 and over (24% vs 12%)
  • Smithfield has more GPs (4 vs 0)

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

Investors

Smithfield

ahead on 2 of the 2 things we measure here

  • is growing faster (25.7% vs 9.8%)
  • returns a higher gross yield on houses (4.7% vs 3.9%)

Weighs house yield and population growth.

Where they sit

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

Caravonica Smithfield
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.

Caravonica Smithfield
Walkability 12 / 59
Caravonica — Walkability: 12/100 Smithfield — Walkability: 59/100
Safety 52 / 19
Caravonica — Safety: 52/100 Smithfield — Safety: 19/100
Low fire risk 73 / 76
Caravonica — Low fire risk: 73/100 Smithfield — Low fire risk: 76/100

Demographics

Smithfield has more residents (6,664 vs 2,183); Caravonica skews older (46 vs 34).

Caravonica Smithfield
Population 2,183 6,664
+205% vs other
Population trend (2016 → 2021) +9.8% +25.7%
Median age 46 34
Median household income $86,840/yr $95,680/yr
+10% vs other
Median weekly rent $360/wk $420/wk
+17% vs other

Age profile

Share of residents in each band, 2021 Census.

Caravonica Smithfield
0-4 4.0% / 6.5%
Caravonica — 0-4: 4.0% Smithfield — 0-4: 6.5%
5-14 12.9% / 13.1%
Caravonica — 5-14: 12.9% Smithfield — 5-14: 13.1%
15-19 5.3% / 8.0%
Caravonica — 15-19: 5.3% Smithfield — 15-19: 8.0%
20-24 4.3% / 7.9%
Caravonica — 20-24: 4.3% Smithfield — 20-24: 7.9%
25-34 9.2% / 14.8%
Caravonica — 25-34: 9.2% Smithfield — 25-34: 14.8%
35-44 11.5% / 14.8%
Caravonica — 35-44: 11.5% Smithfield — 35-44: 14.8%
45-54 15.0% / 13.1%
Caravonica — 45-54: 15.0% Smithfield — 45-54: 13.1%
55-64 14.3% / 10.1%
Caravonica — 55-64: 14.3% Smithfield — 55-64: 10.1%
65-74 13.6% / 7.3%
Caravonica — 65-74: 13.6% Smithfield — 65-74: 7.3%
75-84 6.6% / 3.5%
Caravonica — 75-84: 6.6% Smithfield — 75-84: 3.5%
85+ 3.3% / 1.0%
Caravonica — 85+: 3.3% Smithfield — 85+: 1.0%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (15.0%).

Who lives together

Household composition, 2021 Census.

Caravonica 41.3% couple families
Caravonica — Couple Families: 41.3% Caravonica — Lone Person: 35.5% Caravonica — One Parent Families: 17.8% Caravonica — Group Household: 5.4% Caravonica — Other Families: 0.0%
Smithfield 46.2% couple families
Smithfield — Couple Families: 46.2% Smithfield — Lone Person: 26.8% Smithfield — One Parent Families: 17.2% Smithfield — Group Household: 8.0% Smithfield — Other Families: 1.8%
Couple Families Lone Person One Parent Families Group Household Other Families

Who owns and who rents

Occupied private dwellings by tenure, 2021 Census.

Caravonica 18.7% renting
Caravonica — Owned Outright: 35.4% Caravonica — Mortgage: 45.9% Caravonica — Renting: 18.7%
Smithfield 33.0% renting
Smithfield — Owned Outright: 23.5% Smithfield — Mortgage: 43.5% Smithfield — Renting: 33.0%
Owned outright Mortgage Renting

Qualifications

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

Caravonica Smithfield
Certificate III & IV 19.0% / 16.4%
Caravonica — Certificate III & IV: 19.0% Smithfield — Certificate III & IV: 16.4%
Bachelor Degree 11.1% / 12.2%
Caravonica — Bachelor Degree: 11.1% Smithfield — Bachelor Degree: 12.2%
Advanced Diploma / Diploma 8.5% / 8.6%
Caravonica — Advanced Diploma / Diploma: 8.5% Smithfield — Advanced Diploma / Diploma: 8.6%
Postgraduate Degree 3.0% / 3.6%
Caravonica — Postgraduate Degree: 3.0% Smithfield — Postgraduate Degree: 3.6%
Graduate Diploma / Certificate 2.8% / 1.8%
Caravonica — Graduate Diploma / Certificate: 2.8% Smithfield — Graduate Diploma / Certificate: 1.8%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (19.0%).

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.

Caravonica Smithfield
England 6.2% / 4.4%
Caravonica — England: 6.2% Smithfield — England: 4.4%
New Zealand 2.6% / 2.6%
Caravonica — New Zealand: 2.6% Smithfield — New Zealand: 2.6%
India 0.7% / 2.2%
Caravonica — India: 0.7% Smithfield — India: 2.2%
Germany 1.5% / 0.7%
Caravonica — Germany: 1.5% Smithfield — Germany: 0.7%
Japan 1.0% / 0.8%
Caravonica — Japan: 1.0% Smithfield — Japan: 0.8%
Philippines 0.7% / 1.1%
Caravonica — Philippines: 0.7% Smithfield — Philippines: 1.1%
China — / 1.1%
Caravonica — China: not among its largest Smithfield — China: 1.1%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (6.2%).

What people live in

Occupied private dwellings by structure, 2021 Census.

Caravonica 92.4% houses
Caravonica — Houses: 92.4% Caravonica — Flats / Apartments: 4.7% Caravonica — Townhouses: 2.9%
Smithfield 91.0% houses
Smithfield — Houses: 91.0% Smithfield — Flats / Apartments: 6.3% Smithfield — Townhouses: 2.7%
Houses Flats / Apartments Townhouses

Property market

Caravonica Smithfield
Median house price $745,000 $815,000
Median unit price $420,000 $468,000
Median land price $370,000 $875,000
Typical days to sell (houses) 39 days
from 45 sales
 20 days
from 92 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.

Caravonica Smithfield
3 bed $712K / $740K
Caravonica — 3 bed: $712K (30 sales) Smithfield — 3 bed: $740K (64 sales)

30 vs 64 sales

4 bed $828K / $840K
Caravonica — 4 bed: $828K (38 sales) Smithfield — 4 bed: $840K (109 sales)

38 vs 109 sales

5 bed $850K / $960K
Caravonica — 5 bed: $850K (9 sales) Smithfield — 5 bed: $960K (17 sales)

9 vs 17 sales

Development activity

Caravonica Smithfield
New dwellings approved 767
across Cairns
same for both
Approvals change year on year -81%
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.

Caravonica Smithfield
Houses 3.9%
$600/wk on $799K
 4.7%
$765/wk on $838K
Units — 6.8%
$650/wk on $500K

Ranking within QLD

Caravonica Smithfield
House price —
same for both
Income Higher than 60% of QLD Higher than 69% of QLD
Schools —
same for both
Walkability Higher than 73% of QLD Higher than 89% of QLD
Affordability —
same for both
EV adoption Higher than 76% of QLD
same for both
NBN connectivity Higher than 82% of QLD Higher than 88% of QLD
Rental yield (houses) Higher than 49% of QLD Higher than 85% of QLD
Rental yield (units) — Higher than 95% of QLD

Liveability

Smithfield is more walkable (59 vs 12).

Caravonica Smithfield
Grade C
same for both
Score 41/100
same for both
Socio-economic band mid-range socio-economic
decile 6/10
 advantaged area
decile 7/10

Risk profile

Smithfield carries more crime risk (81 vs 48).

Caravonica Smithfield
Bushfire Low
27/100
 Low
24/100
Crime Moderate
48/100
 High
81/100
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 2
within 5 km
 1
within 5 km

Schools

Caravonica Smithfield
Inside the suburb 1 2
Rated above peers 1
same for both
Rated at peers 0 1
Rated below peers 0
same for both
Universities within 10 km 1
James Cook University - Cairns, 4.0 km
 1
James Cook University - Cairns, 0.0 km
Full-time students aged 15–24 0.6% 5.1%

Schools in Caravonica

  • Caravonica State School Government · Primary above peers

Schools in Smithfield

  • Newman Catholic College Catholic · Secondary above peers
  • Tropical North Learning Academy - Smithfield State High School Government · Secondary at peers

Amenities in the suburb

Caravonica Smithfield
Supermarkets 0 4
Cafes & restaurants 0 5
Parks & reserves 3 10
Childcare 0 4
GPs 0 4
Pharmacies 0 4
Police stations 0 1
Banks & Bank@Post 0 6
Fuel stations 0 3
Waterways 1 20

Mobility

Smithfield sits further from the CBD (1713.8 km vs 1709.2 km).

Caravonica Smithfield
Walkability score 12/100 59/100
Distance to Brisbane 1709.2 km 1713.8 km
Drive time (normal traffic) 1184 min 1188 min
Public transport score 55/100
Bus
 79/100
Bus
Peak arrivals per hour 13.8
7-9am + 5-7pm
 61.5
7-9am + 5-7pm
Median peak wait 1 min
scheduled, not actual
same for both
Electric vehicle share 0.7%
postcode 4878
same for both
Rooftop solar per 100 dwellings 64
postcode 4878
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.

Caravonica Smithfield
Car (driver) 77.4% / 74.4%
Caravonica — Car (driver): 77.4% Smithfield — Car (driver): 74.4%
Worked from Home 14.3% / 15.3%
Caravonica — Worked from Home: 14.3% Smithfield — Worked from Home: 15.3%
Car (passenger) 3.9% / 5.5%
Caravonica — Car (passenger): 3.9% Smithfield — Car (passenger): 5.5%
Walked Only 1.4% / 2.1%
Caravonica — Walked Only: 1.4% Smithfield — Walked Only: 2.1%
Bus 1.9% / 1.5%
Caravonica — Bus: 1.9% Smithfield — Bus: 1.5%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (77.4%).

Setting

Caravonica Smithfield
Elevation 73 m
above sea level, at the suburb centre
 16 m
above sea level, at the suburb centre
Distance to the ocean 6.4 km 3.4 km
4.6 km to a named beach

NBN connectivity

Caravonica Smithfield
Connectivity score 73/100 76/100
Most common technology Fibre to the premises
same for both
Full-fibre (FTTP) share 50%
1,037 premises
 54%
2,904 premises

Climate

Caravonica Smithfield
Annual rainfall 2,121 mm
same for both
Summer max (Jan) 31.9°C
same for both
Winter min (Jul) 18.1°C
same for both

Air quality (annual mean)

Caravonica Smithfield
PM2.5 5.6 µg/m³
same for both
PM10 18.6 µg/m³
same for both
NO₂ —
same for both

Council rates

Caravonica Smithfield
Average residential rate $1,354/yr
same for both
Council Cairns
same for both

Federal electorate

Caravonica Smithfield
Division Leichhardt
same for both
Member Matt Smith
same for both
Party Australian Labor Party
same for both

First Home Owner Grant

Caravonica Smithfield
Grant amount $30,000
same for both
Property price cap $750,000
same for both
Eligibility New
same for both

Tags

Caravonica

Acreage

Smithfield

Large Blocks

More comparisons

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Caravonica vs Kamerunga Caravonica vs Barron

Other comparisons with Smithfield

Smithfield vs Trinity Beach Smithfield vs Kewarra Beach Smithfield vs Trinity Park Smithfield vs Yorkeys Knob Smithfield vs Barron
Full data on Caravonica Full data on Smithfield
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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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