Forum
Analytics
Cairns, Australia 🇦🇺
#90
,
Nomad Score:
64%
💰 Cost & Affordability
💸 Cost of Living
42%
Weight: 150
Higher than many Asian or Eastern European cities, but cheaper than Sydney or Melbourne; moderate cost for Australia.
🏠 Accommodation Cost
38%
Weight: 80
Rental prices are relatively high due to tourism demand, especially for short-term stays.
🍎 Food & Groceries
51%
Weight: 40
Groceries and dining out are moderately expensive compared to global averages, typical for regional Australia.
🚌 Transportation Cost
67%
Weight: 20
Public transport is limited but affordable; many rely on cars or bikes.
🎟️ Entertainment Cost
50%
Weight: 15
Entertainment options are available but can be pricey due to the tourist-driven economy.
🏋️ Gym Membership Cost
63%
Weight: 10
Gym memberships are moderately priced, with several options in the city.
💱 Currency Stability
95%
Weight: 30
Australian Dollar is stable with low volatility.
💻 Digital Nomad Essentials
🚀 Internet Speed
74%
Weight: 100
Good NBN fiber and 5G coverage in urban areas, suitable for remote work.
👥 Coworking Spaces Availability
58%
Weight: 40
A few coworking spaces exist but limited compared to major Australian cities.
☕ Cafes with WiFi
71%
Weight: 30
Many cafes offer free WiFi, popular among locals and tourists.
💻☕ Digital Nomad Friendly Cafes
65%
Weight: 30
Several cafes are comfortable for working remotely, though not all have power outlets.
🌟 Digital Nomad Popularity
40%
Weight: 100
Less popular than larger Australian cities but growing interest due to nature and climate.
📱 Local SIM Card Availability
90%
Weight: 25
Easy to purchase prepaid SIM cards with good coverage.
🌟 Quality of Life
⚖️ Work-Life Balance
87%
Weight: 30
Strong emphasis on outdoor activities and relaxation; good balance.
🌳 Environmental Quality
89%
Weight: 15
Clean air and water, surrounded by natural beauty including the Great Barrier Reef.
🧼 Cleanliness
83%
Weight: 10
City is well-maintained and clean.
🗨️ Language Barrier
98%
Weight: 30
English is the primary language, minimal barrier for English speakers.
💨 Air Quality
85%
Weight: 15
Generally good air quality, occasional smoke haze during bushfire season.
👨👩👧👦 Family Friendly
80%
Weight: 25
Good environment for families with outdoor activities and schools.
🏥 Healthcare
🏥 Healthcare Quality
86%
Weight: 20
Good healthcare facilities, though more limited than major metro areas.
💉 Healthcare Affordability
60%
Weight: 25
Healthcare is subsidized but can be costly without insurance.
🏥 Healthcare
83%
Weight: 20
Access to quality healthcare services is reliable.
🌿 Climate & Environment
☀️ Weather
88%
Weight: 80
Tropical climate with warm temperatures year-round; wet season in summer.
🌪️ Natural Disaster Risk
52%
Weight: 10
Risks include cyclones and flooding during wet season.
🏞️ Green Spaces
90%
Weight: 10
Abundant parks and proximity to rainforests and beaches.
❄️ Air Conditioning
79%
Weight: 15
Common in accommodations and public spaces due to tropical heat.
🍂 Seasonal Variety
41%
Weight: 10
Tropical climate means less seasonal variation; mainly wet and dry seasons.
🔊 Noise Pollution
75%
Weight: 10
Generally quiet, with some noise in tourist areas.
🎭 Culture & Entertainment
🎭 Culture
67%
Weight: 20
Laid-back Australian culture with Indigenous influences and tourism-driven diversity.
🌃 Nightlife
45%
Weight: 15
Limited nightlife options compared to larger cities; more focused on casual bars.
🏞️ Outdoors & Nature
97%
Weight: 15
Excellent access to nature, including reefs, rainforests, and hiking.
🗣️ Language Learning Opportunities
50%
Weight: 10
Limited formal language schools; mostly English-focused.
🧭 Local Experiences & Tours
93%
Weight: 10
Wide range of tours including reef diving, rainforest walks, and Indigenous cultural experiences.
🎳 Indoors Fun
48%
Weight: 10
Limited indoor entertainment options; more outdoor-oriented.
🍎 Food & Fitness
🍽️ Food Scene
62%
Weight: 25
Good variety of fresh seafood and casual dining; less diverse than major cities.
🧠 Yoga Studios
60%
Weight: 10
Several yoga studios available catering to locals and tourists.
🏋️ Fitness Facilities
65%
Weight: 15
Adequate gyms and fitness centers, though not extensive.
🥗 Healthy Food Options
71%
Weight: 15
Good availability of fresh produce and health-conscious cafes.
💼 Work Environment
🕰️ Time Zone Favorability
55%
Weight: 20
UTC+10, favorable for Asia-Pacific but less so for Europe or Americas.
🤝 Networking Opportunities
43%
Weight: 25
Limited professional networking events for digital nomads.
💻 Remote Job Opportunities
50%
Weight: 20
Local job market limited; most remote jobs come from outside.
🆓 Freelance Ecosystem
47%
Weight: 20
Small freelance community; growing but not well-established.
🏢 Coworking Quality
55%
Weight: 30
Coworking spaces are functional but limited in number and amenities.
📈 Business & Economy
🚀 Startup Scene
39%
Weight: 15
Minimal startup ecosystem compared to major Australian cities.
💳 Local Payment Services
78%
Weight: 10
Widely accepted cards and mobile payments; good banking infrastructure.
🔗 Blockchain & Crypto Adoption
54%
Weight: 15
Moderate interest and adoption, but no major hubs.
🚆 Transportation
✈️ Airport Connectivity
62%
Weight: 30
International airport with flights mainly to Australia and Asia-Pacific.
🚇 Public Transit
49%
Weight: 20
Limited bus services; no trains or trams.
🚶 Walkability
60%
Weight: 20
City center is walkable but suburbs require transport.
🚗 Ride-sharing Services
70%
Weight: 15
Uber and other services operate reliably.
🚲 Cycling
63%
Weight: 10
Some bike lanes and trails, but tropical climate can be challenging.
🚄 Intercity Travel Options
51%
Weight: 15
Limited train services; mostly buses and flights.
🛵 Scooter/Bike Rental Availability
58%
Weight: 10
Some bike rentals available; e-scooters less common.
📡 Connectivity
📱 Mobile Network Coverage
80%
Weight: 20
Good 4G and expanding 5G coverage in urban areas.
🔒 VPN Reliability
85%
Weight: 20
VPN services work well with stable internet.
⚡ Power Grid Reliability
87%
Weight: 15
Reliable electricity supply with rare outages.
📶 Public WiFi Availability
65%
Weight: 10
Public WiFi available in cafes and some public areas.
⚖️ Legal & Administrative
🛂 Visa Ease
60%
Weight: 40
Tourist and working holiday visas available but can be bureaucratic.
📊 Tax Friendliness
42%
Weight: 30
High tax rates and complex system for foreigners.
🗣️ Freedom of Speech
96%
Weight: 15
Strong protections and democratic environment.
🏛️ Political Stability
92%
Weight: 20
Stable political environment.
🏦 Ease of Opening Bank Account
55%
Weight: 15
Possible but requires documentation; can be slow for foreigners.
📄 Ease of Business Registration
63%
Weight: 10
Straightforward but involves some bureaucracy.
📄✈️ Digital Nomad Visa Availability
0%
Weight: 35
No specific digital nomad visa as of mid-2025.
🌍 Digital Nomad Community
🌍 Nomad Friendly
50%
Weight: 50
Moderately friendly but lacks dedicated infrastructure for nomads.
🤝 Nomad Events & Meetups
37%
Weight: 25
Few organized nomad events or meetups.
🌐👥 Online Community Presence
45%
Weight: 20
Small but growing online community.
🛡️ Safety & Tolerance
🛡️ Safety
88%
Weight: 100
Generally safe with low crime rates.
♀️ Female Friendly
85%
Weight: 50
Safe and welcoming environment for women.
✊ Racial Tolerance
79%
Weight: 50
Generally tolerant but occasional issues like anywhere.