The safest, most liveable and all-round best suburbs to reside in Cairns are recorded as Trinity Beach, Redlynch, Palm Cove, Smithfield, and Freshwater.

Cairns is generally a safe city for residents and tourists, but Edge Hill is consistently cited as one of its safest and most prestigious suburbs. Located just north of the city center and nestled against the Mount Whitfield Conservation Park, Edge Hill is characterized by its leafy streets, historical Queenslander-style homes, and a strong sense of community. The suburb has a significantly lower crime rate compared to the more central or industrial areas of Cairns, largely due to its high owner-occupancy and active neighborhood watch programs. Other highly regarded safe suburbs include Freshwater and Stratford, which offer a quiet, village-like atmosphere popular with families and retirees. For those looking for coastal safety, Palm Cove is considered very secure, though it functions more as a resort enclave. While standard urban precautions are always recommended in any Australian city, Edge Hill remains the top choice for those prioritizing security, greenery, and proximity to cultural highlights like the Botanical Gardens, making it a highly desirable residential pocket in Far North Queensland.