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 $901 a year cheaper than Annandale, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $10,329.
Over 10 years, Rosslea costs about $10,300 less to run than Annandale — the same as paying $10,300 less for the home. It's the cost no listing shows you.
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Rosslea
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Annandale | Rosslea | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,343 | $1,343 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $2,099 | $2,099 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $2,116 | $1,515 | +$601 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $4,600 | $4,300 | +$300 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,200 | $2,200 | - |
| Total (driving) | $10,158 | $9,257 | +$901 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,234 | $7,934 | +$300 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; 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 $901 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $10,329 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 $300 per year, $8,234 from Annandale versus $7,934 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 $300 a year, $4,300 against $4,600.
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 | $10,158 | $9,257 | $901 |
| Year 3 | $31,397 | $28,612 | $2,785 |
| Year 5 | $53,930 | $49,147 | $4,783 |
| Year 10 | $116,450 | $106,121 | $10,329 |
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 $9,257 per year versus $10,158 for Annandale, a difference of $901 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 $116,450 and Rosslea costs $106,121 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $10,329 in favour of Rosslea. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Annandale and Rosslea 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.
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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 AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.