Annandale vs Rosslea, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Annandale and Rosslea are both Townsville City Council suburbs, sitting 6.6 km and 4.6 km from Townsville CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Rosslea runs $801 a year cheaper than Annandale, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $9,182.
Over 10 years, Rosslea costs about $9,200 less to run than Annandale. That's about $18 a week.
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Rosslea
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Annandale | Rosslea | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,343 | $1,343 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $2,099 | $2,099 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $2,116 | $1,515 | +$601 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $3,900 | $3,700 | +$200 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,200 | $2,200 | - |
| Total (driving) | $9,458 | $8,657 | +$801 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,534 | $7,334 | +$200 |
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 | Annandale | Rosslea | 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, Annandale vs Rosslea (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Rosslea costs $801 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $9,182 in favour of Rosslea.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $601 per year. Annandale is 6.6 km from Townsville CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the gap is $200 per year, $7,534 from Annandale versus $7,334 from Rosslea.
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 Rosslea by $601 a year, $1,515 against $2,116.
- Building insurance favours Rosslea by $200 a year, $3,700 against $3,900.
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 | Annandale cumulative | Rosslea cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $9,458 | $8,657 | $801 |
| Year 3 | $29,234 | $26,758 | $2,476 |
| Year 5 | $50,214 | $45,961 | $4,253 |
| Year 10 | $108,425 | $99,243 | $9,182 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Annandale or Rosslea cheaper to live in?
Rosslea is cheaper to run by car at $8,657 per year versus $9,458 for Annandale, a difference of $801 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Annandale and Rosslea?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,343 in Annandale (Townsville City Council) and $1,343 in Rosslea (Townsville City Council). Water and sewerage adds $2,099 in Annandale and $2,099 in Rosslea. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Annandale and Rosslea?
Annual driving commute costs are $2,116 from Annandale and $1,515 from Rosslea to Townsville CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Annandale and $192 from Rosslea.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Annandale and Rosslea?
At 3% annual cost growth, Annandale costs a cumulative $108,425 and Rosslea costs $99,243 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $9,182 in favour of Rosslea. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Annandale and Rosslea 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.