South Mission Beach vs Wongaling Beach

Wongaling Beach is the younger of the two, with a median age of 48 against 51 in South Mission Beach. In both, most households own their home and most homes are detached houses. In Wongaling Beach, about half of households are people living alone. Houses cost more in Wongaling Beach: a median of $798,000, against $675,000 in South Mission Beach, though rent is higher in South Mission Beach. On these figures, South Mission Beach tends to suit 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

They split

one each way, out of the 6 things we measure here

  • South Mission Beach carries lower crime risk (26/100 vs 42/100)
  • Wongaling Beach has more parks and reserves (8 vs 3)

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

First-home buyers

They split

one each way, out of the 4 things we measure here

  • South Mission Beach has cheaper houses ($675,000 vs $797,500)
  • Wongaling Beach has cheaper units ($311,000 vs $400,000)

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

Renters

Wongaling Beach

ahead on the one thing that separates them

  • has cheaper rent ($273/wk vs $320/wk)

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

Commuting to the city

Wongaling Beach

ahead on 2 of the 3 things we measure here

  • is more walkable (54/100 vs 0/100)
  • sits closer to the CBD (1581.6 km vs 1584.6 km)

Weighs distance, drive time, and walkability.

Downsizers and retirees

They split

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

  • South Mission Beach carries lower crime risk (26/100 vs 42/100)
  • Wongaling Beach is more walkable (54/100 vs 0/100)

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

Investors

South Mission Beach

ahead on the one thing that separates them

  • returns a higher gross yield on houses (5.1% vs 2.6%)

Weighs house yield and population growth.

Where they sit

South Mission Beach and Wongaling 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.

South Mission Beach Wongaling 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.

South Mission Beach Wongaling Beach
Walkability 0 / 54
South Mission Beach — Walkability: 0/100 Wongaling Beach — Walkability: 54/100
Safety 74 / 58
South Mission Beach — Safety: 74/100 Wongaling Beach — Safety: 58/100
Low fire risk 75 / 69
South Mission Beach — Low fire risk: 75/100 Wongaling Beach — Low fire risk: 69/100

Demographics

Wongaling Beach has more residents (1,323 vs 968); South Mission Beach rents higher ($320/wk vs $273/wk).

South Mission Beach Wongaling Beach
Population 968 1,323
+37% vs other
Population trend (2016 → 2021) +3.9% +6.3%
Median age 51 48
Median household income $66,872/yr
+2% vs other
 $65,312/yr
Median weekly rent $320/wk
+15% vs other
 $273/wk

Age profile

Share of residents in each band, 2021 Census.

South Mission Beach Wongaling Beach
0-4 4.0% / 4.3%
South Mission Beach — 0-4: 4.0% Wongaling Beach — 0-4: 4.3%
5-14 12.4% / 12.0%
South Mission Beach — 5-14: 12.4% Wongaling Beach — 5-14: 12.0%
15-19 5.3% / 4.0%
South Mission Beach — 15-19: 5.3% Wongaling Beach — 15-19: 4.0%
20-24 2.4% / 2.8%
South Mission Beach — 20-24: 2.4% Wongaling Beach — 20-24: 2.8%
25-34 7.2% / 10.4%
South Mission Beach — 25-34: 7.2% Wongaling Beach — 25-34: 10.4%
35-44 10.3% / 11.4%
South Mission Beach — 35-44: 10.3% Wongaling Beach — 35-44: 11.4%
45-54 14.5% / 13.6%
South Mission Beach — 45-54: 14.5% Wongaling Beach — 45-54: 13.6%
55-64 18.1% / 17.5%
South Mission Beach — 55-64: 18.1% Wongaling Beach — 55-64: 17.5%
65-74 18.0% / 16.6%
South Mission Beach — 65-74: 18.0% Wongaling Beach — 65-74: 16.6%
75-84 7.2% / 6.3%
South Mission Beach — 75-84: 7.2% Wongaling Beach — 75-84: 6.3%
85+ 1.8% / 1.0%
South Mission Beach — 85+: 1.8% Wongaling Beach — 85+: 1.0%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (18.1%).

Who lives together

Household composition, 2021 Census.

South Mission Beach 42.2% lone person
South Mission Beach — Lone Person: 42.2% South Mission Beach — Couple Families: 33.8% South Mission Beach — One Parent Families: 16.9% South Mission Beach — Group Household: 5.9% South Mission Beach — Other Families: 1.3%
Wongaling Beach 45.2% lone person
Wongaling Beach — Lone Person: 45.2% Wongaling Beach — Couple Families: 29.4% Wongaling Beach — One Parent Families: 15.8% Wongaling Beach — Group Household: 7.0% Wongaling Beach — Other Families: 2.7%
Lone Person Couple Families One Parent Families Group Household Other Families

Who owns and who rents

Occupied private dwellings by tenure, 2021 Census.

South Mission Beach 28.6% renting
South Mission Beach — Owned Outright: 42.6% South Mission Beach — Mortgage: 28.8% South Mission Beach — Renting: 28.6%
Wongaling Beach 31.9% renting
Wongaling Beach — Owned Outright: 43.3% Wongaling Beach — Mortgage: 24.8% Wongaling Beach — Renting: 31.9%
Owned outright Mortgage Renting

Qualifications

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

South Mission Beach Wongaling Beach
Certificate III & IV 18.8% / 16.6%
South Mission Beach — Certificate III & IV: 18.8% Wongaling Beach — Certificate III & IV: 16.6%
Bachelor Degree 9.1% / 10.2%
South Mission Beach — Bachelor Degree: 9.1% Wongaling Beach — Bachelor Degree: 10.2%
Advanced Diploma / Diploma 7.5% / 6.6%
South Mission Beach — Advanced Diploma / Diploma: 7.5% Wongaling Beach — Advanced Diploma / Diploma: 6.6%
Postgraduate Degree 2.9% / 2.5%
South Mission Beach — Postgraduate Degree: 2.9% Wongaling Beach — Postgraduate Degree: 2.5%
Graduate Diploma / Certificate 2.4% / 1.7%
South Mission Beach — Graduate Diploma / Certificate: 2.4% Wongaling Beach — Graduate Diploma / Certificate: 1.7%

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.

South Mission Beach Wongaling Beach
England 4.5% / 6.1%
South Mission Beach — England: 4.5% Wongaling Beach — England: 6.1%
New Zealand 3.2% / 3.3%
South Mission Beach — New Zealand: 3.2% Wongaling Beach — New Zealand: 3.3%
South Africa 1.2% / 0.5%
South Mission Beach — South Africa: 1.2% Wongaling Beach — South Africa: 0.5%
Canada 0.6% / 0.5%
South Mission Beach — Canada: 0.6% Wongaling Beach — Canada: 0.5%
India 0.4% / 0.6%
South Mission Beach — India: 0.4% Wongaling Beach — India: 0.6%
Germany — / 0.8%
South Mission Beach — Germany: not among its largest Wongaling Beach — Germany: 0.8%
Scotland 0.5% / —
South Mission Beach — Scotland: 0.5% Wongaling Beach — Scotland: not among its largest

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (6.1%).

What people live in

Occupied private dwellings by structure, 2021 Census.

South Mission Beach 81.4% houses
South Mission Beach — Houses: 81.4% South Mission Beach — Flats / Apartments: 5.2% South Mission Beach — Townhouses: 13.4%
Wongaling Beach 73.1% houses
Wongaling Beach — Houses: 73.1% Wongaling Beach — Flats / Apartments: 18.6% Wongaling Beach — Townhouses: 8.3%
Houses Flats / Apartments Townhouses

Property market

South Mission Beach Wongaling Beach
Median house price $675,000 $797,500
Median unit price $400,000 $311,000
Median land price $230,000 $250,000
Typical days to sell (houses) 76 days
from 16 sales
 118 days
from 20 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.

South Mission Beach Wongaling Beach
2 bed $630K / $575K
South Mission Beach — 2 bed: $630K (6 sales) Wongaling Beach — 2 bed: $575K (5 sales)

6 vs 5 sales

3 bed $628K / $725K
South Mission Beach — 3 bed: $628K (26 sales) Wongaling Beach — 3 bed: $725K (25 sales)

26 vs 25 sales

4 bed $720K / $924K
South Mission Beach — 4 bed: $720K (13 sales) Wongaling Beach — 4 bed: $924K (14 sales)

13 vs 14 sales

Development activity

South Mission Beach Wongaling Beach
New dwellings approved 186
across Cassowary Coast
same for both
Approvals change year on year +68%
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.

South Mission Beach Wongaling Beach
Houses 5.1%
$862/wk on $874K
 2.6%
$480/wk on $949K
Units —
same for both

Ranking within QLD

South Mission Beach Wongaling Beach
House price —
same for both
Income Higher than 33% of QLD Higher than 31% of QLD
Schools —
same for both
Walkability Higher than 33% of QLD Higher than 88% of QLD
Affordability —
same for both
EV adoption Higher than 69% of QLD
same for both
NBN connectivity Higher than 92% of QLD Higher than 87% of QLD
Rental yield (houses) Higher than 93% of QLD Higher than 6% of QLD

Liveability

Wongaling Beach is more walkable (54 vs 0).

South Mission Beach Wongaling Beach
Grade C
same for both
Score 44/100 43/100
Socio-economic band mid-range socio-economic
decile 5/10
 below-average income
decile 3/10

Risk profile

Wongaling Beach carries more crime risk (42 vs 26).

South Mission Beach Wongaling Beach
Bushfire Low
25/100
 Low
31/100
Crime Low
26/100
 Moderate
42/100
Flood Not mapped
no mapped data here
same for both
Coastal erosion Moderate
42/100
 Low
27/100
Aircraft noise None
0/100
same for both
Industrial facilities nearby 0
within 5 km
same for both

Schools

South Mission Beach Wongaling Beach
Inside the suburb 2 1
Rated above peers 0
same for both
Rated at peers 0 1
Rated below peers 0
same for both

Schools in South Mission Beach

  • The Rainforest School Independent · Primary
  • The Rainforest School - South Mission Beach Campus Independent · Primary

Schools in Wongaling Beach

  • Mission Beach State School Government · Primary at peers

Amenities in the suburb

South Mission Beach Wongaling Beach
Supermarkets 0 1
Cafes & restaurants 2 4
Parks & reserves 3 8
Childcare 0 1
Pharmacies 0 1
Police stations 0 1
Banks & Bank@Post 0 1
Fuel stations 0 1
Beaches 1 0
Waterways 3 13

Mobility

South Mission Beach sits further from the CBD (1584.6 km vs 1581.6 km).

South Mission Beach Wongaling Beach
Walkability score 0/100 54/100
Distance to Brisbane 1584.6 km 1581.6 km
Drive time (normal traffic) 1085 min 1081 min
Electric vehicle share 0.6%
postcode 4852
same for both
Rooftop solar per 100 dwellings 64
postcode 4852
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.

South Mission Beach Wongaling Beach
Car (driver) 80.5% / 69.2%
South Mission Beach — Car (driver): 80.5% Wongaling Beach — Car (driver): 69.2%
Worked from Home 9.1% / 14.6%
South Mission Beach — Worked from Home: 9.1% Wongaling Beach — Worked from Home: 14.6%
Car (passenger) 5.3% / 5.7%
South Mission Beach — Car (passenger): 5.3% Wongaling Beach — Car (passenger): 5.7%
Bus 2.4% / 6.4%
South Mission Beach — Bus: 2.4% Wongaling Beach — Bus: 6.4%
Walked Only 2.7% / 2.3%
South Mission Beach — Walked Only: 2.7% Wongaling Beach — Walked Only: 2.3%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (80.5%).

Setting

South Mission Beach Wongaling Beach
Elevation 16 m
above sea level, at the suburb centre
 5 m
above sea level, at the suburb centre
Distance to the ocean 609 m
703 m to a named beach
 245 m
431 m to a named beach

NBN connectivity

South Mission Beach Wongaling Beach
Connectivity score 81/100 76/100
Most common technology Fibre to the premises
same for both
Full-fibre (FTTP) share 66%
628 premises
 56%
884 premises

Climate

South Mission Beach Wongaling Beach
Annual rainfall 2,150 mm 3,534 mm
Summer max (Jan) 31.0°C 31.4°C
Winter min (Jul) 16.0°C 16.5°C

Council rates

South Mission Beach Wongaling Beach
Average residential rate $1,829/yr
same for both
Council Cassowary Coast
same for both

Federal electorate

South Mission Beach Wongaling Beach
Division Kennedy
same for both
Member Bob Katter
same for both
Party Katter's Australian Party (KAP)
same for both

First Home Owner Grant

South Mission Beach Wongaling Beach
Grant amount $30,000
same for both
Property price cap $750,000
same for both
Eligibility New
same for both

Tags

South Mission Beach

Beach Coastal Retirees Rural

Wongaling Beach

Beach Beachfront Coastal Parks Quiet River

More comparisons

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Other comparisons with Wongaling Beach

Wongaling Beach vs Mission Beach Wongaling Beach vs Coral Sea
Full data on South Mission Beach Full data on Wongaling Beach
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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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