Bungalow
At a median house price of $357,000, Bungalow sits well below the national median, yet its IRSD, IRSAD and IER SEIFA scores all land in decile 1, the most disadvantaged tier nationally. The suburb's 2,358 residents are overwhelmingly renters (61.5%) concentrated in apartments (43.7%), with household income at the 18.2nd percentile. The 12.5% vacancy rate and 33.3% rent growth over the period reflect a rental market under pressure despite low incomes. Population grows at 0.57% annually, driven almost entirely by overseas migration adding 119 residents per year, while internal migration runs negative at minus 42.
Population
2,358
Median Age
38.0
Household IncomeiMedian weekly household income (ABS Census)
$1,121/wk
DAs (12 months)iDevelopment Applications lodged in the past year
3
Median House
$357K
Estimated from rent (2025)
The estimated median house price of $357,000 is substantially lower than national median values, making Bungalow one of the more affordable entry points in the Cairns area. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,371 and mortgage-to-income sits at 28.2%, just below the 30% stress threshold. Separate houses (42%) and apartments (43.7%) are roughly equally represented. Two-bedroom dwellings dominate at 42.7%, with studios or one-bedroom units at 21% reflecting the apartment mix. Outright owners account for only 18.1% of households, well below the national average, because the renter majority (61.5%) defines the market. The low price point is the headline advantage; the trade-off is decile 1 SEIFA scores and limited local amenities.
For Buyers
The estimated median house price of $357,000 is substantially lower than national median values, making Bungalow one of the more affordable entry points in the Cairns area. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,371 and mortgage-to-income sits at 28.2%, just below the 30% stress threshold. Separate houses (42%) and apartments (43.7%) are roughly equally represented. Two-bedroom dwellings dominate at 42.7%, with studios or one-bedroom units at 21% reflecting the apartment mix. Outright owners account for only 18.1% of households, well below the national average, because the renter majority (61.5%) defines the market. The low price point is the headline advantage; the trade-off is decile 1 SEIFA scores and limited local amenities.
For Investors
A 61.5% renter majority gives Bungalow a deep tenant base. Weekly rent of $270 against a $357,000 median implies a gross yield near 3.9%, higher than inner-city markets. Against that, the 12.5% vacancy rate is elevated compared to healthy levels below 3%, signalling oversupply pressure in the apartment segment (43.7% of stock). Overseas migration of 119 net residents per year is the primary demand driver, partially offset by internal outflow of minus 42. Rent grew 33.3% over the period, outpacing real income growth of 5.4%. Only 2 development applications were lodged in the past 12 months, so near-term supply addition is minimal.
Development Activity
Total DAs
3
Last 12 Months
3
YoY ChangeiYear-over-year change in DA lodgements
—
Avg DA CostiAverage estimated cost per DA in the past year
N/A
Monthly DA Lodgements
DA Categories
Demographics
The median age of 38 is 2 years below the national figure, but the trajectory is aging: the senior share rose 3.6 points over the decade. Overseas-born residents reach 29.8%, some 8.2 points above the national rate, reflecting Cairns as a regional migration gateway. Ancestry is led by English (672), with Irish (236) and Scottish (185) also prominent. University qualifications at 20.2% are 9.9 points below national, consistent with a workforce concentrated in service and trade roles. Average household size is 2.0, which is 0.5 below national, pointing to more single-person and couple households than average. Volunteering runs at 12.8% and 5.6% of residents need daily assistance.
Age Distribution
Bedrooms
Dwelling Structure
42.0%
Houses
12.9%
Townhouse
43.7%
Apartment
Tenure
Tenure in Bungalow is renter-dominated at 61.5%, far above national averages, while outright owners represent just 18.1%. Stock splits almost evenly between separate houses (42%) and apartments (43.7%), with semi-detached at 12.9%. Two-bedroom dwellings are most common at 42.7% and studios or one-bedroom units at 21% reflect the apartment-heavy mix. Rent-to-income at 24.1% keeps most tenants below the 30% stress threshold, but the 12.5% vacancy rate means landlords face competitive pressure. The estimated median price of $357,000 and monthly repayments of $1,371 make purchase achievable for median incomes, though most residents rent rather than buy.
Mortgage / mo
$1,371
Rent / wk
$270
HH Size
2.0
Personal Income / wk
$710
Vacancy Ratei% of dwellings unoccupied on Census night (ABS 2021)
12.5%
Unoccupied
139
Rent / IncomeiMedian rent as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
24.1%
Mortgage / IncomeiMedian mortgage as % of household income. Over 30% = housing stress
28.2%
Community Profile
Languages Spoken at Home
Ancestry
Household Composition
28.7%
Couples, no children
1,227
Total families
Economy & Employment
Healthcare is the largest employer at 20.2% of the local workforce (140 workers), followed by Hospitality at 13.4% (93) and Retail at 9.7% (67), reflecting Bungalow's position in tourism-driven Cairns. The unemployment rate of 9.4% is well above typical national levels, and the participation rate of 52.7% is low. SEIFA decile 1 on IEO confirms the workforce concentrates in lower-skilled roles compared to national benchmarks. Among those employed, 62.5% work full-time. Household income sits at the 18.2nd percentile nationally, meaning 81.8% of Australian households earn more, which constrains local spending and demand for premium services.
Unemployment
9.5%
Labour Force
3,619
Unemployed
344
Quarterly Trend
Source: SALM Dec-25
Socio-Economic Indexes (SEIFA)iABS index ranking suburbs from 1 (most disadvantaged) to 10 (most advantaged)
Full-time
62.5%
Part-time
28.1%
Participation
52.7%
Employed
986
Occupations
Top Industries
University
20.2%
Postgraduate
3.4%
Born Overseas
29.8%
Dwellings
964
Transport to Work
Active transport use is notably high: 15.1% walk or cycle, well above typical regional rates nationally, reflecting the compact 2.17 square kilometre footprint. Car use at 75.2% is lower than many regional QLD areas, and public transport accounts for 2.2%. No schools are recorded within the Bungalow boundary, so families rely on adjacent suburbs. Crime statistics are unavailable, but SEIFA decile 1 on IRSD places Bungalow among the most disadvantaged nationally on relative deprivation, which is the main livability constraint. Rent-to-income at 24.1% keeps most renters below financial stress. The suburb's compact density of 1,087 residents per square kilometre and proximity to Cairns services partially offset the economic disadvantage.
Drive
75.2%
Public Transport
2.2%
Walk / Cycle
15.1%
Work from Home
N/A
Population Forecast
+0.57%/yr
(+39 people/yr)
EstablishedBungalow's population grew 3.5% over the decade to 2,358 residents, adding roughly 39 people per year at 0.57% annually. The medium forecast for the broader area projects growth from 6,811 in 2025 toward 7,053 by 2031. Overseas migration of 119 net arrivals per year drives growth, offsetting internal outflow of minus 42. The gentrification score of 13 places it firmly as not gentrifying, consistent with decile 1 SEIFA and real income growth of just 5.4% over the decade. The aging trajectory, with the senior share up 3.6 points, will gradually shift household composition toward older singles and couples.
Historical + Forecast
Hamilton-Perry + Holt smoothing on ERP 2001-2025
Age Cohort Forecast
Primary Driver
Overseas Migration
Net Overseas / yr
+119
Net Internal / yr
-42
Gentrification Signal
Not gentrifying
National Ranking iPercentile rank among ~15,000 AU suburbs. 90% = higher than 90% of suburbs
How Bungalow compares to ~15,000 Australian suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bungalow a good suburb to live in?
Bungalow suits residents who prioritise affordability and proximity to Cairns CBD. The median house price is around $357,000, well below national medians, and rent-to-income sits at 24.1%. The main trade-offs are SEIFA scores at decile 1 on IRSD and IRSAD nationally, reflecting high relative disadvantage, and a 9.4% unemployment rate.
What is the median house price in Bungalow?
The median house price is estimated at $357,000 based on 2025 rental data. Monthly mortgage repayments average $1,371, with a mortgage-to-income ratio of 28.2%. Weekly rent averages $270, implying a gross rental yield near 3.9% against the median price.
What schools are in Bungalow?
No schools are recorded within the Bungalow boundary in this dataset, so families rely on schools in neighbouring suburbs. University qualification rates stand at 20.2%, some 9.9 points below the national average, reflecting the local workforce profile in healthcare, hospitality and retail.
Is Bungalow safe?
Specific crime statistics are not available for Bungalow. As a contextual indicator, the suburb scores decile 1 on the IRSD national index of relative disadvantage, the lowest tier, and has a 9.4% unemployment rate, both factors associated with higher crime risk compared to more advantaged suburbs.
Is Bungalow good for property investment?
The case is mixed. A 61.5% renter majority and $270 weekly rent imply a gross yield near 3.9% on the $357,000 median, higher than many capital city suburbs. However, a 12.5% vacancy rate signals oversupply in the apartment segment (43.7% of stock), and internal migration is negative at minus 42 per year, limiting organic demand growth.
How is Bungalow's population changing?
Population grew 3.5% over the decade to 2,358, adding around 39 residents per year at 0.57% annually. Overseas migration is the primary driver at 119 net arrivals per year, while internal migration is negative at minus 42. The suburb is on an aging trajectory, with the senior share rising 3.6 points over the decade.
How to read these comparisons
Phrases like "above the national average" reference the unweighted median across Australian suburbs with more than 1,000 residents, not population-weighted national figures. Suburb-level medians are more useful for ranking suburbs against each other; ABS census headlines are population-weighted (so dominated by Sydney and Melbourne) and can read very differently.
Current baseline (refreshed 2026-05-10): median age 40, university-educated 30.1%, born overseas 21.6%, average household size 2.5 people.
Data sources: ABS 2021 Census (demographics, income, tenure), state Valuer-General (house prices), Department of Jobs SALM (unemployment), ACARA (school ICSEA), state Crime Statistics agencies (offences), council DA portals (development applications). Population forecasts use a Hamilton-Perry cohort model calibrated to ABS ERP.
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