Aitkenvale vs Heatley, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Aitkenvale and Heatley are both Townsville City Council suburbs, sitting 6.7 km and 7.5 km from Townsville CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $20 a year of each other to run, so running cost is a minor factor here. The decision comes down to schools, risk and lifestyle, all in the free report.
Over 10 years these two cost about the same to run.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict → Personalise this comparison with your own commute, home type and loan →Aitkenvale
Heatley
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Aitkenvale | Heatley | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,343 | $1,343 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $2,099 | $2,099 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $2,145 | $2,375 | -$230 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $3,850 | $3,600 | +$250 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,200 | $2,000 | +$200 |
| Total (driving) | $9,437 | $9,417 | +$20 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,484 | $7,234 | +$250 |
Totals exclude electricity, estimated separately below. Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance estimated from ACCC premium rates; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Aitkenvale | Heatley | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,373 | $2,373 | - |
| Unit | $1,945 | $1,945 | - |
Estimated from AER residential benchmarks for each suburb's climate zone at 2026-27 regulated prices for each suburb's electricity network, including supply charge (AER Default Market Offer caps, or the QCA price in regional Queensland; unit ≈ 75% of a house). Get the free report for a breakdown by your exact number of occupants.
Cost breakdown chart
Annual cost breakdown, Aitkenvale vs Heatley (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Aitkenvale and Heatley cost within $20 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $230, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $250 per year.
On public transport the gap is $250 per year, $7,484 from Aitkenvale versus $7,234 from Heatley.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,343 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $2,099 a year.
- Driving commute favours Aitkenvale by $230 a year, $2,145 against $2,375.
- Building insurance favours Heatley by $250 a year, $3,600 against $3,850.
Both suburbs sit in the same council area, so the rates line is identical and none of the difference between them comes from council. What separates them is commute distance and the insurance band.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Aitkenvale cumulative | Heatley cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $9,437 | $9,417 | $20 |
| Year 3 | $29,169 | $29,107 | $62 |
| Year 5 | $50,102 | $49,996 | $106 |
| Year 10 | $108,185 | $107,955 | $230 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Aitkenvale or Heatley cheaper to live in?
Heatley is cheaper to run by car at $9,417 per year versus $9,437 for Aitkenvale, a difference of $20 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Aitkenvale and Heatley?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,343 in Aitkenvale (Townsville City Council) and $1,343 in Heatley (Townsville City Council). Water and sewerage adds $2,099 in Aitkenvale and $2,099 in Heatley. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Aitkenvale and Heatley?
Annual driving commute costs are $2,145 from Aitkenvale and $2,375 from Heatley to Townsville CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Aitkenvale and $192 from Heatley.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Aitkenvale and Heatley?
At 3% annual cost growth, Aitkenvale costs a cumulative $108,185 and Heatley costs $107,955 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $230 in favour of Heatley. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Aitkenvale and Heatley suits you better?
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Sources: Townsville City Council and Townsville City Council rate data, water utility pricing (QLD: Queensland Urban Utilities / Unitywater; NSW: Sydney Water / Hunter Water), ATO 91c/km, and SuburbCost insurance estimates from ACCC premium rates. Data updated July 2026.