Kuluin vs Maroochydore

Kuluin is the younger of the two, with a median age of 41 against 47 in Maroochydore. In both, most households own their home. In Kuluin, the large majority of homes are detached houses and about half of households are couple families. In Maroochydore, about half of households are people living alone. Houses cost more in Maroochydore: a median of $1.26 million, against $1.14 million in Kuluin, though rent is higher in Kuluin. On these figures, Kuluin tends to suit families with children and couples, while Maroochydore 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

Kuluin

ahead on 4 of the 6 things we measure here

  • has more separate houses rather than flats (89% vs 38%)
  • has more schools rated above their peers (1 vs 0)
  • carries lower crime risk (45/100 vs 88/100)
  • But Maroochydore has more parks and reserves (65 vs 8)

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

First-home buyers

Kuluin

ahead on 2 of the 3 things we measure here

  • leaves households under less mortgage stress (24% vs 29%)
  • has cheaper houses ($1,141,000 vs $1,265,000)

Weighs house prices, unit prices, and mortgage stress.

Renters

Maroochydore

ahead on 2 of the 3 things we measure here

  • has a bigger rental market to choose from (44% vs 23%)
  • has cheaper rent ($410/wk vs $450/wk)

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

Commuting to the city

Maroochydore

ahead on the one thing that separates them

  • is more walkable (84/100 vs 70/100)

Weighs distance, drive time, and walkability.

Downsizers and retirees

Maroochydore

ahead on 3 of the 5 things we measure here

  • has more GPs (12 vs 1)
  • has more units and townhouses to downsize into (62% vs 11%)
  • is more walkable (84/100 vs 70/100)
  • But Kuluin carries lower crime risk (45/100 vs 88/100)

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

Investors

Maroochydore

ahead on the one thing that separates them

  • is growing faster (22.8% vs 14.3%)

Weighs house yield and population growth.

Where they sit

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

Kuluin Maroochydore
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.

Kuluin Maroochydore
Walkability 70 / 84
Kuluin — Walkability: 70/100 Maroochydore — Walkability: 84/100
Safety 55 / 12
Kuluin — Safety: 55/100 Maroochydore — Safety: 12/100
Low fire risk 100 / 100
Kuluin — Low fire risk: 100/100 Maroochydore — Low fire risk: 100/100

Demographics

Maroochydore has more residents (20,629 vs 2,700); Kuluin has higher household incomes ($88,192 vs $70,720).

Kuluin Maroochydore
Population 2,700 20,629
+664% vs other
Population trend (2016 → 2021) +14.3% +22.8%
Median age 41 47
Median household income $88,192/yr
+20% vs other
 $70,720/yr
Median weekly rent $450/wk
+9% vs other
 $410/wk

Age profile

Share of residents in each band, 2021 Census.

Kuluin Maroochydore
0-4 5.4% / 3.9%
Kuluin — 0-4: 5.4% Maroochydore — 0-4: 3.9%
5-14 13.4% / 6.9%
Kuluin — 5-14: 13.4% Maroochydore — 5-14: 6.9%
15-19 5.3% / 3.8%
Kuluin — 15-19: 5.3% Maroochydore — 15-19: 3.8%
20-24 5.3% / 6.5%
Kuluin — 20-24: 5.3% Maroochydore — 20-24: 6.5%
25-34 12.2% / 15.4%
Kuluin — 25-34: 12.2% Maroochydore — 25-34: 15.4%
35-44 12.7% / 11.3%
Kuluin — 35-44: 12.7% Maroochydore — 35-44: 11.3%
45-54 13.0% / 11.0%
Kuluin — 45-54: 13.0% Maroochydore — 45-54: 11.0%
55-64 10.6% / 14.0%
Kuluin — 55-64: 10.6% Maroochydore — 55-64: 14.0%
65-74 12.9% / 14.2%
Kuluin — 65-74: 12.9% Maroochydore — 65-74: 14.2%
75-84 6.3% / 9.0%
Kuluin — 75-84: 6.3% Maroochydore — 75-84: 9.0%
85+ 3.1% / 4.0%
Kuluin — 85+: 3.1% Maroochydore — 85+: 4.0%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (15.4%).

Who lives together

Household composition, 2021 Census.

Kuluin 26.3% lone person
Kuluin — Lone Person: 26.3% Kuluin — Couple Families: 47.0% Kuluin — One Parent Families: 20.4% Kuluin — Group Household: 5.5% Kuluin — Other Families: 0.8%
Maroochydore 51.0% lone person
Maroochydore — Lone Person: 51.0% Maroochydore — Couple Families: 21.9% Maroochydore — One Parent Families: 14.9% Maroochydore — Group Household: 10.4% Maroochydore — Other Families: 1.7%
Lone Person Couple Families One Parent Families Group Household Other Families

Who owns and who rents

Occupied private dwellings by tenure, 2021 Census.

Kuluin 22.6% renting
Kuluin — Owned Outright: 32.6% Kuluin — Mortgage: 44.8% Kuluin — Renting: 22.6%
Maroochydore 44.2% renting
Maroochydore — Owned Outright: 33.1% Maroochydore — Mortgage: 22.7% Maroochydore — Renting: 44.2%
Owned outright Mortgage Renting

Qualifications

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

Kuluin Maroochydore
Certificate III & IV 20.7% / 15.7%
Kuluin — Certificate III & IV: 20.7% Maroochydore — Certificate III & IV: 15.7%
Bachelor Degree 8.1% / 13.5%
Kuluin — Bachelor Degree: 8.1% Maroochydore — Bachelor Degree: 13.5%
Advanced Diploma / Diploma 8.9% / 9.3%
Kuluin — Advanced Diploma / Diploma: 8.9% Maroochydore — Advanced Diploma / Diploma: 9.3%
Postgraduate Degree 2.2% / 3.8%
Kuluin — Postgraduate Degree: 2.2% Maroochydore — Postgraduate Degree: 3.8%
Graduate Diploma / Certificate 1.2% / 1.8%
Kuluin — Graduate Diploma / Certificate: 1.2% Maroochydore — Graduate Diploma / Certificate: 1.8%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (20.7%).

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.

Kuluin Maroochydore
England 5.8% / 5.0%
Kuluin — England: 5.8% Maroochydore — England: 5.0%
New Zealand 5.0% / 4.6%
Kuluin — New Zealand: 5.0% Maroochydore — New Zealand: 4.6%
India 0.5% / 1.5%
Kuluin — India: 0.5% Maroochydore — India: 1.5%
Philippines 0.9% / 0.8%
Kuluin — Philippines: 0.9% Maroochydore — Philippines: 0.8%
South Africa 0.7% / 0.9%
Kuluin — South Africa: 0.7% Maroochydore — South Africa: 0.9%
Germany 0.6% / 0.7%
Kuluin — Germany: 0.6% Maroochydore — Germany: 0.7%
Nepal — / 1.1%
Kuluin — Nepal: not among its largest Maroochydore — Nepal: 1.1%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (5.8%).

What people live in

Occupied private dwellings by structure, 2021 Census.

Kuluin 89.0% houses
Kuluin — Houses: 89.0% Kuluin — Flats / Apartments: 2.1% Kuluin — Townhouses: 8.9%
Maroochydore 37.5% houses
Maroochydore — Houses: 37.5% Maroochydore — Flats / Apartments: 38.3% Maroochydore — Townhouses: 24.1%
Houses Flats / Apartments Townhouses

Property market

Kuluin Maroochydore
Median house price $1,141,000 $1,265,000
Median unit price $830,000 $875,000
Median land price — $1,142,500
Typical days to sell (houses) 29 days
from 20 sales
 30 days
from 182 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.

Kuluin Maroochydore
3 bed $1.1M / $1.15M
Kuluin — 3 bed: $1.1M (18 sales) Maroochydore — 3 bed: $1.15M (134 sales)

18 vs 134 sales

4 bed $1.2M / $1.36M
Kuluin — 4 bed: $1.2M (25 sales) Maroochydore — 4 bed: $1.36M (94 sales)

25 vs 94 sales

5 bed $1.27M / $1.78M
Kuluin — 5 bed: $1.27M (6 sales) Maroochydore — 5 bed: $1.78M (19 sales)

6 vs 19 sales

Development activity

Kuluin Maroochydore
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.

Kuluin Maroochydore
Houses 3.4%
$855/wk on $1.29M
 3.6%
$800/wk on $1.16M
Units — 4.5%
$770/wk on $900K

Ranking within QLD

Kuluin Maroochydore
House price —
same for both
Income Higher than 62% of QLD Higher than 38% of QLD
Schools — Higher than 8% of QLD
Walkability Higher than 92% of QLD Higher than 97% of QLD
Affordability —
same for both
EV adoption Higher than 82% of QLD
same for both
NBN connectivity Higher than 79% of QLD Higher than 74% of QLD
Rental yield (houses) Higher than 22% of QLD Higher than 28% of QLD
Rental yield (units) — Higher than 51% of QLD

Liveability

Kuluin scores higher overall (64 vs 44); Maroochydore is more walkable (84 vs 70).

Kuluin Maroochydore
Grade B C
Score 64/100 44/100
Socio-economic band mid-range socio-economic
decile 4/10
 mid-range socio-economic
decile 6/10

Risk profile

Maroochydore carries more crime risk (88 vs 45).

Kuluin Maroochydore
Bushfire None
0/100
same for both
Crime Moderate
45/100
 High
88/100
Flood Not mapped
no mapped data here
same for both
Coastal erosion None
0/100
 High
87/100
Aircraft noise None
0/100
same for both
Industrial facilities nearby 1
within 5 km
 2
within 5 km

Schools

Kuluin Maroochydore
Inside the suburb 1 5
Rated above peers 1 0
Rated at peers 0 2
Rated below peers 0 1
Universities within 10 km 1
UniSC Sunshine Coast, 7.6 km
 1
UniSC Sunshine Coast, 7.7 km
Full-time students aged 15–24 0.9% 1.5%

Schools in Kuluin

  • Kuluin State School Government · Primary above peers

Schools in Maroochydore

  • Maroochydore State High School Government · Secondary at peers
  • Stella Maris School Catholic · Primary at peers
  • Maroochydore State School Government · Primary below peers
  • Arethusa College - Maroochydore Campus Independent · Secondary
  • The Industry School - Sunshine Coast Independent · Secondary

Amenities in the suburb

Kuluin Maroochydore
Supermarkets 0 9
Cafes & restaurants 0 42
Parks & reserves 8 65
Childcare 6 11
GPs 1 12
Pharmacies 0 9
Police stations 0 1
Banks & Bank@Post 0 15
Fuel stations 0 6
EV chargers 0 2
Beaches 0 1
Waterways 3 17

Mobility

Kuluin Maroochydore
Walkability score 70/100 84/100
Distance to Brisbane 101.1 km 102 km
Drive time (normal traffic) 82 min 83 min
Public transport score 59/100
Bus
 79/100
Bus
Peak arrivals per hour 15.0
7-9am + 5-7pm
 163.0
7-9am + 5-7pm
Median peak wait 1 min
scheduled, not actual
 0 min
scheduled, not actual
Electric vehicle share 1.0%
postcode 4558
same for both
Rooftop solar per 100 dwellings 37
postcode 4558
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.

Kuluin Maroochydore
Car (driver) 78.4% / 70.7%
Kuluin — Car (driver): 78.4% Maroochydore — Car (driver): 70.7%
Worked from Home 12.7% / 16.0%
Kuluin — Worked from Home: 12.7% Maroochydore — Worked from Home: 16.0%
Car (passenger) 4.9% / 4.6%
Kuluin — Car (passenger): 4.9% Maroochydore — Car (passenger): 4.6%
Walked Only 2.2% / 5.1%
Kuluin — Walked Only: 2.2% Maroochydore — Walked Only: 5.1%
Bus 1.3% / 1.7%
Kuluin — Bus: 1.3% Maroochydore — Bus: 1.7%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (78.4%).

Setting

Kuluin Maroochydore
Elevation 15 m
above sea level, at the suburb centre
 3 m
above sea level, at the suburb centre
Distance to the ocean 2.5 km
4.4 km to a named beach
 859 m
1.8 km to a named beach

NBN connectivity

Kuluin Maroochydore
Connectivity score 69/100 64/100
Most common technology Fibre to the node
same for both
Full-fibre (FTTP) share 43%
1,028 premises
 33%
14,987 premises

Air quality (annual mean)

Kuluin Maroochydore
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

Kuluin Maroochydore
Average residential rate $1,690/yr
same for both
Council Sunshine Coast
same for both

Federal electorate

Kuluin Maroochydore
Division Fairfax
same for both
Member Ted O'Brien
same for both
Party Liberal National Party of Queensland
same for both

First Home Owner Grant

Kuluin Maroochydore
Grant amount $30,000
same for both
Property price cap $750,000
same for both
Eligibility New
same for both

Tags

Kuluin

Coastal Large Blocks Parks

Maroochydore

Apartments Coastal Parks Regional Centre Retirees River Townhouses

More comparisons

Other comparisons with Kuluin

Kuluin vs Buderim Kuluin vs Diddillibah

Other comparisons with Maroochydore

Maroochydore vs Buderim Maroochydore vs Bli Bli Maroochydore vs Alexandra Headland Maroochydore vs Twin Waters Maroochydore vs Pacific Paradise Maroochydore vs Diddillibah
Full data on Kuluin Full data on Maroochydore
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.

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