Belconnen vs Cairns: Property Investment Comparison 2026
Side-by-side investment comparison to help you decide which suburb suits your investment goals.
Belconnen
lowACT 2617
Cairns
mediumQLD 4870
Overview
This guide compares Belconnen (ACT, 2617) and Cairns (QLD, 4870) as property investment options.
| Feature | Belconnen | Cairns |
|---|---|---|
| State | ACT | QLD |
| Region | Metro Middle | Regional Major |
| Risk Level | Low | Medium |
| Hybrid Score | 8.0/10 | 7.0/10 |
Price Comparison
| Price Metric | Belconnen | Cairns |
|---|---|---|
| Median House | $820,000 | $670,000 |
| Median Unit | $490,000 | $430,000 |
| Median Townhouse | $650,000 | N/A |
Cairns offers a lower entry price, approximately $150,000 (18%) cheaper at the median level.
Rental Yield Comparison
| Yield Metric | Belconnen | Cairns |
|---|---|---|
| Gross Yield | 4.58% | 5.81% |
| House Rent/wk | $723 | $748 |
| Unit Rent/wk | $600 | $484 |
| Vacancy Rate | 1.6% | N/A |
| Days on Market | 28 | N/A |
Cairns offers the higher gross yield at 5.81%, a difference of 1.23 percentage points.
Growth Comparison
| Growth Metric | Belconnen | Cairns |
|---|---|---|
| 5yr Growth p.a. | 6.0% | 6.5% |
| 10yr Growth p.a. | 5.1% | 3.0% |
| Growth Score | 9.0/10 | 8.0/10 |
Cairns has demonstrated stronger recent growth at 6.5% p.a. over the past 5 years.
Demographics Comparison
| Demographic | Belconnen | Cairns |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 95,000 | 73,803 |
| Median Age | 34 | 39 |
| Household Income | $115,000 | $78,520 |
| Unemployment | 3.0% | 6.0% |
| Owner-Occupier | 58% | N/A |
Risk Comparison
| Risk Metric | Belconnen | Cairns |
|---|---|---|
| Risk Level | Low | Medium |
| Price Stability | N/A | N/A |
| Volatility | N/A | N/A |
Belconnen risks: Government sector concentration; Apartment oversupply in town centre; ACT's land tax on investment properties
Cairns risks:
Investment Verdict
Who should invest where?
Growth seekers may prefer investigating Belconnen (growth score 9.0/10, 5yr growth 6.0% p.a.). This suburb is better positioned for capital appreciation over a longer holding period.
Yield hunters may prefer investigating Belconnen (yield score 7.0/10, gross yield 4.58%). This suburb provides stronger rental returns and better cashflow potential.
Balanced investors seeking both growth and income may prefer Belconnen (hybrid score 8.0/10), which offers the best overall combination of metrics.
This information is general in nature and does not constitute personal financial advice. Investment decisions should be based on your individual circumstances. Consider seeking professional advice before making any property investment.
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