Budget buyers
Can you still buy a house in Cairns for under $500,000?
Rarely. No Cairns suburb in our table had a median house price under $500,000 over the last 12 months; the lowest was Manoora at $580,000. Units are where that budget goes furthest.
Which Cairns suburbs have the cheapest houses?
| Suburb | Median house price | Houses sold |
|---|---|---|
| Manoora | $580,000 | 55 |
| Westcourt | $645,000 | 51 |
| Cairns North | $663,000 | 32 |
| White Rock | $665,000 | 91 |
| Machans Beach | $675,000 | 34 |
| Bungalow | $687,000 | 29 |
A median is the middle sale, so roughly half the houses in these suburbs sold for less. Houses under $500,000 tend to be older, smaller or in need of work.
What about units?
Units in the Cairns Regional Council area sold for a median $465,000 in the first half of 2026, up from $433,000 across 2025. (Opteon, Cairns residential property market insights, half 1 2026, published 10 August 2026)
How do I find houses for sale under $500,000?
Set a price filter on the major listing sites, and see Tony Williamson’s current listings. If you are selling a lower-priced house, ask Tony what buyers are paying in your street.
Last updated 3 November 2026
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Common questions
Is there any Cairns suburb with a median house price under $500,000?
Not in our table. The lowest suburb median over the last 12 months was $580,000 in Manoora. (Property Value, suburb insights for houses (data © Cotality), last 12 months, as published on 4 November 2026) Individual houses do still sell below $500,000, usually older or smaller homes, or ones needing work.
Can I buy a unit in Cairns for under $500,000?
Yes. The median Cairns unit sold for $465,000 in the first half of 2026. (Opteon, Cairns residential property market insights, half 1 2026, published 10 August 2026)