Aeroglen vs Machans Beach: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 88c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Aeroglen and Machans Beach are both Cairns Regional Council suburbs, sitting 5.2 km and 7.6 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Aeroglen runs $1,681 a year cheaper than Machans Beach, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $19,270.
Over 10 years, Aeroglen costs about $19,300 less to run than Machans Beach — the same as paying $19,300 less for the home. It's the cost no listing shows you.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict →Aeroglen
Machans Beach
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Aeroglen | Machans Beach | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,165 | $1,165 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,765 | $1,765 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $1,643 | $2,324 | -$681 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $6,500 | $7,500 | -$1,000 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,200 | $2,200 | - |
| Total (driving) | $11,073 | $12,754 | -$1,681 |
| Total (public transport) | $9,622 | $10,622 | -$1,000 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Aeroglen | Machans Beach | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,218 | $2,218 | - |
| Unit | $1,773 | $1,773 | - |
Estimated from AER residential benchmarks for each suburb's climate zone at 2025 rates (QLD 30c/kWh, NSW 33c/kWh incl. supply charge; unit ≈ 75% of a house). Get the free report for a breakdown by your exact number of occupants.
Cost breakdown chart
Annual cost breakdown — Aeroglen vs Machans Beach (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Aeroglen costs $1,681 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $19,270 in favour of Aeroglen.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $1,000 per year.
On public transport the gap is $1,000 per year, $9,622 from Aeroglen versus $10,622 from Machans Beach.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Aeroglen cumulative | Machans Beach cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,073 | $12,754 | $1,681 |
| Year 3 | $34,226 | $39,421 | $5,195 |
| Year 5 | $58,788 | $67,713 | $8,925 |
| Year 10 | $126,940 | $146,210 | $19,270 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Aeroglen or Machans Beach cheaper to live in?
Aeroglen is cheaper to run by car at $11,073 per year versus $12,754 for Machans Beach, a difference of $1,681 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Aeroglen and Machans Beach?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,165 in Aeroglen (Cairns Regional Council) and $1,165 in Machans Beach (Cairns Regional Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,765 in Aeroglen and $1,765 in Machans Beach. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Aeroglen and Machans Beach?
Annual driving commute costs are $1,643 from Aeroglen and $2,324 from Machans Beach to Brisbane CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Aeroglen and $192 from Machans Beach.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Aeroglen and Machans Beach?
At 3% annual cost growth, Aeroglen costs a cumulative $126,940 and Machans Beach costs $146,210 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $19,270 in favour of Aeroglen. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Aeroglen and Machans Beach is best to actually live in?
You've got the costs. Get the free personalised report for the rest: a clear verdict on which suburb wins, the full flood, fire and crime risk profile, nearest schools, estimated electricity cost by number of occupants, and your own loan or rent stress-tested over 10 years. No spam.
Related comparisons
Sources: Cairns Regional Council and Cairns Regional Council rate data, water utility pricing (QLD: Queensland Urban Utilities / Unitywater; NSW: Sydney Water / Hunter Water), ATO 88c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.