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Living in Cairns

Median rent was A$285 per week, and median monthly mortgage repayment was A$1,300 in August 2021. In August 2021, median household income was A$1,186 per week. The population of Cairns, in Australia, was 73,747 in August 2021. Foreign-born residents accounted for 13.1% of the population in 2021.

Which Australia-wide rules apply when you move to Cairns?

National rules stay on the country page instead of being relabelled as city data.

Visa and entry rulesPassport-specific entry and national residence context.BenefitsCountry-wide eligibility and official application routes.Taxes in AustraliaNational rates and thresholds that apply in Cairns.Healthcare eligibilityCountry-wide insurance and residence conditions.

Housing and cost

What recurs every month6 published recurring costs, € per month
Cairns recurring monthly costs, € per month€1284Private kindergarten€122Utilities, 85 m² flat€96Transport pass€49Internet, 60 Mbps€31Fitness club€31Mobile plan, 10 GB€ / month

Supplemental estimate lane; these items are not official statistics.

MetricValuePeriodSource
Fitness club membership, monthly31.23 EUR/month31 Dec 2022Global Cost of Living — Kaggle snapshot v210Supplemental estimate · Supplemental context
Internet, 60 Mbps unlimited49.42 EUR/month31 Dec 2022Global Cost of Living — Kaggle snapshot v210Supplemental estimate · Supplemental context
Private kindergarten, monthly1,284 EUR/month31 Dec 2022Global Cost of Living — Kaggle snapshot v210Supplemental estimate · Supplemental context
Meal at an inexpensive restaurant15.08 EUR31 Dec 2022Global Cost of Living — Kaggle snapshot v210Supplemental estimate · Supplemental context
Mobile plan, 10 GB30.51 EUR/month31 Jul 2026Cost of Living in Cairns. Jun 2026. Prices in Cairns8Commercial estimate · Supplemental context
Monthly transport pass96.27 EUR/month31 Dec 2022Global Cost of Living — Kaggle snapshot v210Supplemental estimate · Supplemental context
Basic utilities, 85 m² home121.9 EUR/month31 Dec 2022Global Cost of Living — Kaggle snapshot v210Supplemental estimate · Supplemental context
Dwellings31,404 dwellings31 Dec 2021Australian Bureau of Statistics3Official
G05 Main Residential Dwellings28,897 dwellings31 Dec 2021Australian Bureau of Statistics3Official
Median Weekly Rent Aud285 AUD/week10 Aug 20212021 Census General Community Profile — Significant Urban Areas, Australia3Official

Worked out from these numbers

How international is the population?

48.4% of residents hold a foreign nationality — 35,705 people of 73,747 people. This counts nationality, not place of birth, so long-settled residents who naturalised are not in it.

Work and income

The unemployment rate was 4.7% in March 2026. Median personal income was A$617 per week in August 2021.

Unemployment across cities in AustraliaUnemployment in Cairns is 4.7%. Of 100 cities with data, 29 have unemployment of 4 to under 5%.
unemployment rate, % · measured cities in Australia per band4 cities: 1% to under 2%41–29 cities: 2% to under 3%92–323 cities: 3% to under 4%233–429 cities: 4% to under 5%294–5Cairns 4.7%18 cities: 5% to under 6%185–69 cities: 6% to under 7%96–73 cities: 7% to under 8%37–82 cities: 8% to under 9%28–91 city: 9% to under 10%19–102 cities: 13% to under 14%213–14

Unemployment rate (%)

MetricValuePeriodSource
Employment Full Time Count17,195 people31 Dec 2021Australian Bureau of Statistics3Official
Employment rate48.1 %31 Dec 2021Australian Bureau of Statistics3Official
Median Household Income Aud Week1,186 AUD/week10 Aug 20212021 Census General Community Profile — Significant Urban Areas, Australia3Official
Median Personal Income Aud Week617 AUD/week10 Aug 20212021 Census General Community Profile — Significant Urban Areas, Australia3Official
Median gross salary (regional)1,400 EUR/month31 Dec 2021www.abs.gov.au7Official
Unemployment rate4.7 %country median 4.4%31 Mar 2026DEWR — Small Area Labour Markets, smoothed unemployment rate by LGA, March quarter 20269Independent

Public employment service

No exact public employment office is currently linked to Cairns. The verified national service may still offer online registration, job search or an official office finder.

Country-level information

Workforce Australia — Public employment service

Australian Government Department of Employment and Workplace Relations

Job Search
Open official service
Open the Australia service overview

Country-level service information is not treated as proof of a physical office in Cairns. Sources checked through 11 Aug 2026.

Family and education

MetricValuePeriodSource
Language Other Than English At Home Share Percent5.82 %10 Aug 20212021 Census General Community Profile — Significant Urban Areas, Australia3Official

Language courses and integration in Cairns

1 exact course-location record is linked to this city. Check the linked source for dates, availability and enrolment.

Verified locally
1verified local records
Check courses in CairnsHow the country programme works
Exact city-linked record checked 2026-08-10. Provider-supplied records are supplemental and are not presented as official accreditation.

Climate and air quality

Temperature through the yearAverage daytime high and night-time low, °C
Cairns average monthly daytime high and night-time low temperature, °C0°10°20°30°40°JFMAMJJASOND32°17°Daytime highNight-time low
Rainfall through the yearAverage monthly precipitation, mm
Cairns average monthly precipitation, mm012024036048039147636717881433627286385186JFMAMJJASONDmm
Sunshine through the yearAverage monthly sunshine, hours
Cairns average monthly sunshine, hours05101520767777889998JFMAMJJASONDhours
MetricValuePeriodSource
Average daytime high by monthJan 31.7 · Feb 31.5 · Mar 30.9 · Apr 29.6 · May 28 · Jun 26.6 · Jul 26.2 · Aug 27 · Sep 28.7 · Oct 29.9 · Nov 31.1 · Dec 31.8 °C31 Dec 2020BOM monthly climate statistics — CAIRNS AERO, 1991-20202Official
Average night-time low by monthJan 24 · Feb 24.1 · Mar 23.4 · Apr 22 · May 20.1 · Jun 18.5 · Jul 17.2 · Aug 17.3 · Sep 18.8 · Oct 20.8 · Nov 22.5 · Dec 23.7 °C31 Dec 2020BOM monthly climate statistics — CAIRNS AERO, 1991-20202Official
Average temperature by monthJan 28 · Feb 27.9 · Mar 27.2 · Apr 25.9 · May 24.1 · Jun 22.6 · Jul 21.8 · Aug 22.3 · Sep 23.9 · Oct 25.5 · Nov 26.9 · Dec 27.8 °C1991–2020WMO Climatological Normals 1991-2020 — station CAIRNS AERO6Official · nearest-station reading
Average precipitation by monthJan 391.1 · Feb 475.5 · Mar 367.4 · Apr 178.1 · May 81 · Jun 42.6 · Jul 35.5 · Aug 26.6 · Sep 28.4 · Oct 63.4 · Nov 85.1 · Dec 185.9 mm31 Dec 2020BOM monthly climate statistics — CAIRNS AERO, 1991-20202Official
Average sunshine by monthJan 6.9 · Feb 6.2 · Mar 6.6 · Apr 7 · May 7.1 · Jun 7 · Jul 7.5 · Aug 8.1 · Sep 9 · Oct 9 · Nov 8.6 · Dec 7.8 hours31 Dec 2020BOM monthly climate statistics — CAIRNS AERO, 1991-20202Official

Cities of a similar size in Australia

Closest published populations, for a like-for-like comparison.

All Australia cities
Dubbo74,195 residentsBunbury76,452 residentsSunshine Coast79,293 residentsMaryborough84,333 residentsLaunceston90,953 residentsWollongong57,003 residents

Population and city profile

The city covered 254.1 km² in 2016. Population density was 612.4 people per km² in 2021.

Who lives hereResidents by nationality, % of population
Cairns residents by nationalityBy nationalityNational passport51.6%Foreign residents48.4%

Calculated from the population and foreign-resident facts on this page.

MetricValuePeriodSource
City area254.1 km²1 Jul 2016Official ASGS2016 SUA area from ABS ArcGIS attributes, area_albers_sqkm. Exact queue geography; not GCCSA or LGA.4Official
Foreign-resident share18.8 %31 Dec 2021Australian Bureau of Statistics1Official
Foreign residents35,705 people10 Aug 2021Official 2021 Census GCP G01 Birthplace_Elsewhere_P: persons born outside Australia, at exact associated 2021 SUA grain. This is foreign-born, not foreign nationality.3Official
Population density612.4 people/km²30 Jun 2021Reproducible exact-ASGS2016-SUA density: ABS ERP at 30 June 2021 divided by ABS ASGS2016 SUA area. Existing local population baseline is only a recovered cross-check; no GCCSA/LGA observation.5Official
Population Female38,076 people31 Dec 2021Australian Bureau of Statistics3Official
Population Male35,669 people31 Dec 2021Australian Bureau of Statistics3Official
Population73,747 people10 Aug 20212021 Census General Community Profile — Significant Urban Areas, Australia3Official
Population over time25 published observations, 2001–2025
Population in Cairns by year, residents56,41764,60472,79080,97720012005201120152021202579,283residents

Population rose 36.4% between 2001 and 2025, from 58,111 to 79,283.

International community in Cairns

Named groups from exact city-grain official distributions. Citizenship, birthplace, language and ancestry answer different questions and stay separate.

Country of birth

Persons usually resident in the ABS Significant Urban Area; 2021 Census G09 PERSONS total across age groups and sex · 2021 Census

Published groupPeopleShare
Total73,747100.0%
Australia59,88781.2%
Country of birth not stated4,2115.7%
England2,2683.1%
New Zealand1,4522.0%
Born elsewhere(d)8381.1%
Philippines6330.9%
South Africa3810.5%
India3720.5%
Germany2790.4%
Scotland2770.4%
Show 40 more groups
Published groupPeopleShare
Netherlands2480.3%
Malaysia2420.3%
Thailand2070.3%
Taiwan1900.3%
Italy1830.2%
Korea, Republic of (South)1780.2%
United States of America1630.2%
Vietnam1600.2%
China (excludes SARs and Taiwan)(c)1420.2%
Nepal1370.2%
Papua New Guinea1250.2%
Fiji1150.2%
Canada1020.1%
Ireland920.1%
Sri Lanka850.1%
Indonesia820.1%
Wales650.1%
Japan640.1%
Zimbabwe630.1%
Malta550.1%
France540.1%
Hong Kong (SAR of China)(c)520.1%
Turkey430.1%
Singapore390.1%
Pakistan310.0%
Bangladesh290.0%
Egypt270.0%
Croatia260.0%
Myanmar230.0%
Iran220.0%
Iraq180.0%
Samoa160.0%
Brazil140.0%
Cambodia140.0%
Poland130.0%
Mauritius120.0%
Chile100.0%
Greece100.0%
Bosnia and Herzegovina30.0%
Lebanon30.0%

Largest published groups; zero-count groups are omitted. Dimensions are source-native and are never merged. Official source3

Country of birth

Persons usually resident in the ABS Significant Urban Area; 2021 Census G01 total persons denominator · 2021 Census

Published groupPeopleShare
Total persons73,747100.0%
Australia59,88781.2%
Elsewhere (excludes country of birth not stated)9,65413.1%

Largest published groups; zero-count groups are omitted. Dimensions are source-native and are never merged. Official source3

Citizenship

Persons usually resident in the ABS Significant Urban Area; 2021 Census G01 total persons denominator · 2021 Census

Published groupPeopleShare
Total persons73,747100.0%
Australian citizen65,74589.1%

Largest published groups; zero-count groups are omitted. Dimensions are source-native and are never merged. Official source3

Is Cairns a good place to live?

There is no universal answer. The profile scores below show who the available published evidence may suit; they are a decision aid, not a personal recommendation.

Try your profile
Remote worker47%strong on work, weak on air quality · range 37–57%
Skilled employee56%strong on work, weak on safety · range 48–64%
Student49%strong on education, weak on safety · range 41–57%
Family54%strong on family, weak on safety · range 45–63%
Retirement55%strong on legal route, weak on admin · range 42–68%
Foreign residents35,705 people10 Aug 2021Official source · Official 2021 Census GCP G01 Birthplace_Elsewhere_P: persons born outside Australia, at exact associated 2021 SUA grain. This is foreign-born, not foreign nationality.
Population73,747 people10 Aug 2021Official source · 2021 Census General Community Profile — Significant Urban Areas, Australia
Dwellings31,404 dwellings31 Dec 2021Official source · Australian Bureau of Statistics
Employment rate48.1 %31 Dec 2021Official source · Australian Bureau of Statistics
Median gross salary (regional)1,400 EUR/month31 Dec 2021Official source · www.abs.gov.au
Unemployment rate4.7 %31 Mar 2026Independent source · DEWR — Small Area Labour Markets, smoothed unemployment rate by LGA, March quarter 2026
Every value keeps its source, geographic scope and verification date · Last checked 2026-08-27

Additional context

MetricValuePeriodSource
Residents born abroad13.09 %10 Aug 20212021 Census General Community Profile — Significant Urban Areas, Australia3Official
Households28,897 households31 Dec 2021Australian Bureau of Statistics3Official
Labour force participation rate51.5 %31 Dec 2021Australian Bureau of Statistics3Official
Median age45 years10 Aug 20212021 Census General Community Profile — Significant Urban Areas, Australia3Official
Median Monthly Mortgage Repayment Aud1,300 AUD/month10 Aug 20212021 Census General Community Profile — Significant Urban Areas, Australia3Official

Yes — migrants can receive medical care in Cairns when the national insurance or residence conditions are met.

Healthcare access follows the country-wide insurance rules; local capacity facts remain city data and are not used as proof of eligibility.

Open the official coverage guide
Country rule verified 2026-08-03.

Common questions

Answered from the published values on this page, each with its source and date.

What is the typical salary around Cairns?

The median gross salary is 1,400 EUR/month. Source: www.abs.gov.au.

What is the unemployment rate in Cairns?

The unemployment rate is 4.7 %. Source: DEWR — Small Area Labour Markets, smoothed unemployment rate by LGA, March quarter 2026.

How many people live in Cairns?

The published population is 73,747 people. Source: 2021 Census General Community Profile — Significant Urban Areas, Australia.

How many foreign residents live in Cairns?

35,705 people residents hold a foreign nationality. Source: Official 2021 Census GCP G01 Birthplace_Elsewhere_P: persons born outside Australia, at exact associated 2021 SUA grain. This is foreign-born, not foreign nationality..

How much is public transport in Cairns?

A monthly transport pass is 96.27 EUR/month. This is a supplemental estimate, not an official municipal measurement. Source: Global Cost of Living — Kaggle snapshot v2.

Is Cairns a good place to live?

Cairns may suit different people for different reasons. The page's profile scores compare published cost, work, housing, safety, healthcare and other available factors; they are a decision aid, not a universal recommendation.

How many people born in Afghanistan live in Cairns?

The official country of birth distribution records 0 people (0.0%) in the source-defined population for 2021 Census. This is a country of birth measure, not a general estimate of ethnicity or migration status.

Cite this page

Open a format to select or copy this ImmigrationDB compilation citation. The native disclosure and text fallback work without JavaScript.

APA citation
ImmigrationDB. (2026, September 12). Cairns, Australia: rent, salary, jobs, taxes [ImmigrationDB compilation; snapshot approved-static-d7ed373c115d60d0; version approved-static-d7ed373c115d60d0]. ImmigrationDB. https://immigrationdb.com/cities/au/cairns/ Retrieved 2026-09-12. Compilation license: CC BY 4.0, https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
BibTeX citation
@misc{immigrationdb_immigrationdb_cairns-australia-rent-salary-jobs-taxes_3b73d7af3ad2,
  author = {ImmigrationDB},
  title = {Cairns, Australia: rent, salary, jobs, taxes},
  publisher = {ImmigrationDB},
  year = {2026},
  date = {2026-09-12},
  version = {approved-static-d7ed373c115d60d0},
  snapshot = {approved-static-d7ed373c115d60d0},
  url = {https://immigrationdb.com/cities/au/cairns/},
  note = {Retrieved 2026-09-12. ImmigrationDB compilation. Compilation license: CC BY 4.0, https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/},
}
Markdown citation
[Cairns, Australia: rent, salary, jobs, taxes](https://immigrationdb.com/cities/au/cairns/) — ImmigrationDB; ImmigrationDB; snapshot approved-static-d7ed373c115d60d0; version approved-static-d7ed373c115d60d0; retrieved 2026-09-12; built 2026-09-12.

This citation identifies the ImmigrationDB compilation/page. Underlying source publishers and datasets retain their own terms; inspect the Sources section and cite those records separately. View the underlying source records.

Sources

JSON Markdown
  1. Australian Bureau of Statistics abs.gov.au · checked 2026-08-03
  2. BOM monthly climate statistics — CAIRNS AERO, 1991-2020 BOM monthly climate statistics · bom.gov.au · checked 2026-07-26
  3. Official 2021 Census GCP G01 Birthplace_Elsewhere_P: persons born outside Australia, at exact associated 2021 SUA grain. This is foreign-born, not foreign nationality. abs.gov.au · checked 2021-08-10
  4. Official ASGS2016 SUA area from ABS ArcGIS attributes, area_albers_sqkm. Exact queue geography; not GCCSA or LGA. geo.abs.gov.au · checked 2016-07-01
  5. Reproducible exact-ASGS2016-SUA density: ABS ERP at 30 June 2021 divided by ABS ASGS2016 SUA area. Existing local population baseline is only a recovered cross-check; no GCCSA/LGA observation. abs.gov.au · checked 2021-06-30
  6. WMO Climatological Normals 1991-2020 — station CAIRNS AERO WMO Climatological Normals 1991-2020 · ncei.noaa.gov · checked 2026-07-31
  7. www.abs.gov.au abs.gov.au · checked 2026-08-27
  8. Cost of Living in Cairns. Jun 2026. Prices in Cairns numbeo.com · checked 2026-07-27
  9. DEWR — Small Area Labour Markets, smoothed unemployment rate by LGA, March quarter 2026 DEWR · dewr.gov.au · checked 2026-07-26
  10. Global Cost of Living — Kaggle snapshot v2 Global Cost of Living · kaggle.com · checked 2026-07-27

Spotted a number that looks wrong? Every value here carries its source and date — tell us what you found and we will re-check it against the source.