Noosa North Shore vs Noosa Heads

In both, the large majority of households own their home and most homes are detached houses. In Noosa North Shore, about half of households are people living alone. Houses cost more in Noosa Heads: a median of $2.19 million, against $950,000 in Noosa North Shore, and rent is higher there too. On these figures, Noosa North Shore 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

Noosa North Shore

ahead on 2 of the 6 things we measure here

  • carries lower crime risk (52/100 vs 76/100)
  • has more separate houses rather than flats (82% vs 72%)
  • But Noosa Heads is already more of a family suburb (49% vs 41%)

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

First-home buyers

They split

one each way, out of the 2 things we measure here

  • Noosa North Shore has cheaper houses ($950,000 vs $2,185,000)
  • Noosa Heads leaves households under less mortgage stress (27% vs 45%)

Weighs house prices and mortgage stress.

Renters

They split

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

  • Noosa North Shore has cheaper rent ($500/wk vs $550/wk)
  • Noosa Heads leaves renters under less rental stress (30% vs 44%)

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

Commuting to the city

Noosa Heads

ahead on 3 of the 3 things we measure here

  • is more walkable (78/100 vs 0/100)
  • has a shorter drive in (109 min vs 131 min)
  • sits closer to the CBD (138.5 km vs 159.9 km)

Weighs distance, drive time, and walkability.

Downsizers and retirees

Noosa Heads

ahead on 3 of the 5 things we measure here

  • is more walkable (78/100 vs 0/100)
  • has more GPs (5 vs 0)
  • has more units and townhouses to downsize into (28% vs 18%)
  • But Noosa North Shore carries lower crime risk (52/100 vs 76/100)

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

Investors

Noosa North Shore

ahead on the one thing that separates them

  • is growing faster (41.3% vs 14.2%)

Weighs population growth.

Where they sit

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

Noosa North Shore Noosa Heads
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.

Noosa North Shore Noosa Heads
Walkability 0 / 78
Noosa North Shore — Walkability: 0/100 Noosa Heads — Walkability: 78/100
Safety 48 / 24
Noosa North Shore — Safety: 48/100 Noosa Heads — Safety: 24/100
Low fire risk 20 / 27
Noosa North Shore — Low fire risk: 20/100 Noosa Heads — Low fire risk: 27/100

Demographics

Noosa Heads has more residents (5,120 vs 253); Noosa Heads has higher household incomes ($95,836 vs $58,500).

Noosa North Shore Noosa Heads
Population 253 5,120
+1924% vs other
Population trend (2016 → 2021) +41.3% +14.2%
Median age 55 54
Median household income $58,500/yr $95,836/yr
+64% vs other
Median weekly rent $500/wk $550/wk
+10% vs other

Age profile

Share of residents in each band, 2021 Census.

Noosa North Shore Noosa Heads
0-4 4.3% / 2.8%
Noosa North Shore — 0-4: 4.3% Noosa Heads — 0-4: 2.8%
5-14 7.9% / 9.8%
Noosa North Shore — 5-14: 7.9% Noosa Heads — 5-14: 9.8%
15-19 3.6% / 4.2%
Noosa North Shore — 15-19: 3.6% Noosa Heads — 15-19: 4.2%
20-24 2.0% / 3.0%
Noosa North Shore — 20-24: 2.0% Noosa Heads — 20-24: 3.0%
25-34 2.4% / 8.0%
Noosa North Shore — 25-34: 2.4% Noosa Heads — 25-34: 8.0%
35-44 9.1% / 9.6%
Noosa North Shore — 35-44: 9.1% Noosa Heads — 35-44: 9.6%
45-54 17.0% / 13.6%
Noosa North Shore — 45-54: 17.0% Noosa Heads — 45-54: 13.6%
55-64 24.1% / 16.5%
Noosa North Shore — 55-64: 24.1% Noosa Heads — 55-64: 16.5%
65-74 19.8% / 19.4%
Noosa North Shore — 65-74: 19.8% Noosa Heads — 65-74: 19.4%
75-84 9.5% / 9.7%
Noosa North Shore — 75-84: 9.5% Noosa Heads — 75-84: 9.7%
85+ 1.2% / 3.3%
Noosa North Shore — 85+: 1.2% Noosa Heads — 85+: 3.3%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (24.1%).

Who lives together

Household composition, 2021 Census.

Noosa North Shore 54.7% lone person
Noosa North Shore — Lone Person: 54.7% Noosa North Shore — Couple Families: 34.4% Noosa North Shore — One Parent Families: 6.2% Noosa North Shore — Group Household: 4.7% Noosa North Shore — Other Families: 0.0%
Noosa Heads 41.7% lone person
Noosa Heads — Lone Person: 41.7% Noosa Heads — Couple Families: 34.0% Noosa Heads — One Parent Families: 15.1% Noosa Heads — Group Household: 8.5% Noosa Heads — Other Families: 0.8%
Lone Person Couple Families One Parent Families Group Household Other Families

Who owns and who rents

Occupied private dwellings by tenure, 2021 Census.

Noosa North Shore 15.6% renting
Noosa North Shore — Owned Outright: 63.3% Noosa North Shore — Mortgage: 21.1% Noosa North Shore — Renting: 15.6%
Noosa Heads 25.0% renting
Noosa Heads — Owned Outright: 50.6% Noosa Heads — Mortgage: 24.4% Noosa Heads — Renting: 25.0%
Owned outright Mortgage Renting

Qualifications

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

Noosa North Shore Noosa Heads
Certificate III & IV 19.0% / 10.6%
Noosa North Shore — Certificate III & IV: 19.0% Noosa Heads — Certificate III & IV: 10.6%
Bachelor Degree 9.1% / 19.0%
Noosa North Shore — Bachelor Degree: 9.1% Noosa Heads — Bachelor Degree: 19.0%
Advanced Diploma / Diploma 6.7% / 11.0%
Noosa North Shore — Advanced Diploma / Diploma: 6.7% Noosa Heads — Advanced Diploma / Diploma: 11.0%
Postgraduate Degree 3.2% / 5.4%
Noosa North Shore — Postgraduate Degree: 3.2% Noosa Heads — Postgraduate Degree: 5.4%
Graduate Diploma / Certificate — / 2.3%
Noosa North Shore — Graduate Diploma / Certificate: not among its largest Noosa Heads — Graduate Diploma / Certificate: 2.3%

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.

Noosa North Shore Noosa Heads
England 3.2% / 7.6%
Noosa North Shore — England: 3.2% Noosa Heads — England: 7.6%
New Zealand 3.6% / 4.0%
Noosa North Shore — New Zealand: 3.6% Noosa Heads — New Zealand: 4.0%
South Africa 1.2% / 1.8%
Noosa North Shore — South Africa: 1.2% Noosa Heads — South Africa: 1.8%
Germany 1.2% / 1.1%
Noosa North Shore — Germany: 1.2% Noosa Heads — Germany: 1.1%
Netherlands 1.6% / 0.6%
Noosa North Shore — Netherlands: 1.6% Noosa Heads — Netherlands: 0.6%
Thailand 1.6% / —
Noosa North Shore — Thailand: 1.6% Noosa Heads — Thailand: not among its largest
Scotland — / 1.2%
Noosa North Shore — Scotland: not among its largest Noosa Heads — Scotland: 1.2%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (7.6%).

What people live in

Occupied private dwellings by structure, 2021 Census.

Noosa North Shore 82.3% houses
Noosa North Shore — Houses: 82.3% Noosa North Shore — Flats / Apartments: 4.2% Noosa North Shore — Townhouses: 13.5%
Noosa Heads 71.7% houses
Noosa Heads — Houses: 71.7% Noosa Heads — Flats / Apartments: 19.9% Noosa Heads — Townhouses: 8.4%
Houses Flats / Apartments Townhouses

Property market

Noosa North Shore Noosa Heads
Median house price $950,000 $2,185,000
Median unit price — $2,150,000
Median land price — $3,525,000
Typical days to sell (houses) 50 days
from 4 sales
 36 days
from 79 sales

Development activity

Noosa North Shore Noosa Heads
New dwellings approved 239
across Noosa
same for both
Approvals change year on year -9%
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.

Noosa North Shore Noosa Heads
Houses — 3.0%
$1,500/wk on $2.6M
Units — 2.7%
$850/wk on $1.62M

Ranking within QLD

Noosa North Shore Noosa Heads
House price —
same for both
Income Higher than 21% of QLD Higher than 69% of QLD
Schools —
same for both
Walkability Higher than 16% of QLD Higher than 95% of QLD
Affordability —
same for both
EV adoption Higher than 77% of QLD Higher than 96% of QLD
NBN connectivity Higher than 38% of QLD Higher than 72% of QLD
Rental yield (houses) — Higher than 11% of QLD
Rental yield (units) — Higher than 4% of QLD

Liveability

Noosa Heads is more walkable (78 vs 0).

Noosa North Shore Noosa Heads
Grade — B
Score — 52/100
Socio-economic band advantaged area
decile 7/10
 very advantaged area
decile 9/10

Risk profile

Noosa Heads carries more crime risk (76 vs 52).

Noosa North Shore Noosa Heads
Bushfire High
80/100
 High
73/100
Crime Moderate
52/100
 High
76/100
Flood Not mapped
no mapped data here
same for both
Coastal erosion High
92/100
 High
82/100
Aircraft noise None
0/100
same for both
Industrial facilities nearby 0
within 5 km
 1
within 5 km

Schools

Noosa North Shore Noosa Heads
Inside the suburb 0
same for both
Rated above peers 0
same for both
Rated at peers 0
same for both
Rated below peers 0
same for both

Amenities in the suburb

Noosa North Shore Noosa Heads
Supermarkets 0 2
Cafes & restaurants 0 33
Parks & reserves 15 16
Childcare 0 1
GPs 0 5
Pharmacies 0 4
Police stations 0 1
Banks & Bank@Post 0 2
Fuel stations 0 1
Beaches 0 7
Waterways 5 1

Mobility

Noosa North Shore sits further from the CBD (159.9 km vs 138.5 km).

Noosa North Shore Noosa Heads
Walkability score 0/100 78/100
Distance to Brisbane 159.9 km
+13% vs other
 138.5 km
Drive time (normal traffic) 131 min 109 min
Electric vehicle share 0.8%
postcode 4565
 2.4%
postcode 4567
Rooftop solar per 100 dwellings 73
postcode 4565
 46
postcode 4567

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.

Noosa North Shore Noosa Heads
Car (driver) 68.4% / 53.4%
Noosa North Shore — Car (driver): 68.4% Noosa Heads — Car (driver): 53.4%
Worked from Home 26.3% / 32.5%
Noosa North Shore — Worked from Home: 26.3% Noosa Heads — Worked from Home: 32.5%
Car (passenger) 5.3% / 5.3%
Noosa North Shore — Car (passenger): 5.3% Noosa Heads — Car (passenger): 5.3%
Walked Only — / 6.3%
Noosa North Shore — Walked Only: not among its largest Noosa Heads — Walked Only: 6.3%
Bicycle — / 1.4%
Noosa North Shore — Bicycle: not among its largest Noosa Heads — Bicycle: 1.4%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (68.4%).

Setting

Noosa North Shore Noosa Heads
Elevation 2 m
above sea level, at the suburb centre
 29 m
above sea level, at the suburb centre
Distance to the ocean 2.4 km 1.4 km
1.5 km to a named beach

NBN connectivity

Noosa North Shore Noosa Heads
Connectivity score 28/100 60/100
Most common technology Fixed wireless Fibre to the node
Full-fibre (FTTP) share 0%
127 premises
 28%
5,449 premises

Council rates

Noosa North Shore Noosa Heads
Average residential rate $1,614/yr
same for both
Council Noosa
same for both

Federal electorate

Noosa North Shore Noosa Heads
Division Wide Bay
same for both
Member Llew O'Brien
same for both
Party Liberal National Party of Queensland
same for both

First Home Owner Grant

Noosa North Shore Noosa Heads
Grant amount $30,000
same for both
Property price cap $750,000
same for both
Eligibility New
same for both

Tags

Noosa North Shore

Coastal Retirees Rural

Noosa Heads

Coastal Luxury Retirees

More comparisons

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Noosa North Shore vs Tewantin Noosa North Shore vs Noosaville Noosa North Shore vs Cooroibah Noosa North Shore vs Cootharaba Noosa North Shore vs Boreen Point Noosa North Shore vs Ringtail Creek

Other comparisons with Noosa Heads

Noosa Heads vs Noosaville Noosa Heads vs Sunrise Beach Noosa Heads vs Sunshine Beach Noosa Heads vs Castaways Beach
Full data on Noosa North Shore Full data on Noosa Heads
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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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