Arcadia vs Florence Bay: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Arcadia and Florence Bay are both Townsville City Council suburbs, sitting 13.7 km and 16.7 km from Townsville CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Arcadia runs $649 a year cheaper than Florence Bay, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $7,440.
Over 10 years these two cost about the same to run. The difference here isn't money — it's location, schools and lifestyle.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict →Arcadia
Florence Bay
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Arcadia | Florence Bay | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,343 | $1,343 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $2,099 | $2,099 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $3,968 | $4,617 | -$649 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $4,800 | $4,800 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,000 | $2,800 | -$800 |
| Total (driving) | $12,210 | $12,859 | -$649 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,434 | $8,434 | - |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Arcadia | Florence Bay | 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 — Arcadia vs Florence Bay (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Arcadia costs $649 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $7,440 in favour of Arcadia.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $649 per year. Florence Bay is 16.7 km from Townsville CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $8,434 and $8,434 a year, so the $649 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
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 Arcadia by $649 a year, $3,968 against $4,617.
- Building insurance is identical at $4,800 a year.
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.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Arcadia cumulative | Florence Bay cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $12,210 | $12,859 | $649 |
| Year 3 | $37,740 | $39,746 | $2,006 |
| Year 5 | $64,825 | $68,270 | $3,445 |
| Year 10 | $139,974 | $147,414 | $7,440 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Arcadia or Florence Bay cheaper to live in?
Arcadia is cheaper to run by car at $12,210 per year versus $12,859 for Florence Bay, a difference of $649 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Arcadia and Florence Bay?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,343 in Arcadia (Townsville City Council) and $1,343 in Florence Bay (Townsville City Council). Water and sewerage adds $2,099 in Arcadia and $2,099 in Florence Bay. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Arcadia and Florence Bay?
Annual driving commute costs are $3,968 from Arcadia and $4,617 from Florence Bay to Townsville CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Arcadia and $192 from Florence Bay.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Arcadia and Florence Bay?
At 3% annual cost growth, Arcadia costs a cumulative $139,974 and Florence Bay costs $147,414 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $7,440 in favour of Arcadia. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Arcadia and Florence Bay 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: 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.