Cairns’ cheapest suburbs revealed

Queensland’s cheapest median prices have been revealed in latest PropTrack data.

Queensland homebuyers desperate for bargains are racing to snap up properties in Cairns, where median prices are climbing fast but its 20 cheapest suburbs are still priced under $375,000.

New data from PropTrack reveals suburbs like Manunda and Innisfail have median prices at $293,500 and $295,000 respectively in the Cairns region, with nearby Bungalow, Woree, and Tully hovering just above $300k.

MORE: NRL Broncos’ aquad’s $40m secret ahead of finals

Two homes, pool, beach – sold for just $340k

REIQ CEO Antonia Mercorella said affordable suburbs had surpassed old reputations that held them back previously Picture: Liam Kidston

For buyers chasing affordable homes in a hot market, these suburbs remain some of the last true bargains in an area that’s become fiercely competitive.

Peak industry body Real Estate Institute of Queensland CEO Antonia Mercorella said affordable suburbs are often overlooked due to old stereotypes, but that rhetoric was dying fast.

“It can help to get to really know a suburb, rather than relying on stereotypes,” she said.

“Buyers are readjusting their expectations around their preferred suburbs and perhaps recognising potential for growth and gentrification over time.”

With first-home buyers increasingly open to units or properties needing renovation and seeking government support, Mr Mercorella said demand remains strong.

Ray White agent Lisa Turner said fierce competition is driving prices higher even in cheaper pockets, with well-presented homes under the $400k market increasingly hard to find.

“To find anything sub $400,000 that doesn’t need work, like clean, very presentable properties that don’t need work, are quite hard to find. Hence why you have multiple offers.”

Lisa Turner sold this townhouse for $392,000 on September 10, 2025.

She warned buyers to be ready to act fast. “We don’t expect the market to change anytime soon. Buyers need to be well educated, do their homework, have their finances in order, and be quite aggressive in their negotiating.”

Ms Mercorella said “over the past five years, Queensland’s property price growth has been unrelenting and while the pace has slowed, it has far from stopped”.

“When property prices rise faster than household income growth, the reality is that housing affordability deteriorates and the strain of entering the market intensifies.”

She said Greater Brisbane’s dwelling value to income ratio went from 8.2 in 2024 to 8.6 in 2025, while the rest of Queensland experienced an increase from 7.8 in 2024 to 8.2 in 2025.

“This means that the median dwelling value is more than 8 times higher than the typical annual household income.”

She warned that attributes that appeal to first home buyers also attract downsizers and investors. “Often the lower end of the market has the highest levels of competition.”

Cairns 20 cheapest median prices:

Suburb | Property Type | Median Sale Price 12 months

Manunda U $293,500

Innisfail H $295,000

Bungalow U $305,000

Tully H $305,000

Woree U $305,000

Webb H $305,000

South Johnstone H $310,000

Earlville U $315,000

East Innisfail H $320,000

Edmonton U $335,000

Mareeba U $340,000

Ravenshoe H $340,000

Edge Hill U $341,000

Manoora U $345,000

Craiglie U $363,000

Holloways Beach U $365,500

Cardwell H $369,000

Westcourt U $370,000

Atherton U $372,000

Wongaling Beach U $375,000

(Source: PropTrack)

The post Cairns’ cheapest suburbs revealed appeared first on realestate.com.au.