Question 1

Is Manoora a nice place to live?

Accepted Answer

Manoora is an inner suburb of Cairns with an established residential character a short drive from the city, made up of quiet, tree-lined streets. Housing is predominantly single-storey post-war homes alongside low-rise unit blocks, so it combines owner-occupied houses and rental accommodation. The community of 6,175 has a median age of 36 and varied family types, with one-parent families the largest single group at 35.9% and couple families with and without children together making up about 61% of families. The suburb feels lived-in rather than tourist-focused.

Everyday life centres on pocket parks, local shops and nearby schools, and there are regular bus services to the CBD. Manoora is the focus of government social housing work, including refurbishment of 18 former police-accommodation units for supported housing managed with St Vincent de Paul and a planned Jensen Street development of about 30 one- and two-bedroom units. The council has also included Manoora in a region-wide smart water meter rollout and recognises a community garden site. That mix tends to suit families, working people and renters who want easy access to regional services and entertainment precincts while keeping a suburban, everyday atmosphere; whether it suits you depends on what you are looking for.

Question 2

Is it expensive to live in Manoora?

Accepted Answer

Housing in Manoora sits high against local incomes as recorded at the most recent Census. A median house price of $581,250 is about 10.6 times a typical local household's annual income at the last Census (weekly household income $1,054, or $54,808 a year), while a median unit price of $458,000 is about 8.4 times that annual income. On rents, $550 a week for a house would take roughly 52.2% of a typical local household's weekly income at the last Census and $450 a week for a unit about 42.7%, so both rents represent a large share of that local income.

Everyone's financial situation is different, so it's important to consider your own circumstances when deciding which suburb is right for you.

Question 3

Is Manoora a good place to invest?

Accepted Answer

The standout in Manoora over the past 12 months was unit values, which rose 16.2%, a strong increase. House values also climbed, up 9.9% over the year, a solid gain. On the income side, house rents rose 7.8%, a solid increase, while unit rents were up a more modest 2.3%.

For someone weighing Manoora as an investment, those figures separate capital growth from rental income: units provided the stronger capital growth this year, while houses showed the stronger rental growth. Whether that balance matches your objectives and circumstances is something only you can decide.

This information has been prepared without taking your objectives, needs and overall financial situation into account. It is not meant to be a substitute for professional financial advice. For this reason, you should consider the appropriateness of the information and, if necessary, seek appropriate professional advice.

	Houses	Units
Median price Past 3 months	$581K	$458K
Change in value Past 12 months	9.9%	16.2%
Sold Past 3 months	12	23
Median days on market Past 12 months	18	11
Average rent Past 12 months	$550	$450
Change in rent Past 12 months	7.8%	2.3%

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