Arcadia vs Horseshoe Bay: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 88c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Arcadia and Horseshoe Bay are both Townsville City Council suburbs, sitting 13.7 km and 15.4 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Arcadia runs $365 a year cheaper than Horseshoe Bay, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $4,185.
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
Horseshoe Bay
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Arcadia | Horseshoe Bay | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,343 | $1,343 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $2,099 | $2,099 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $3,837 | $4,202 | -$365 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $4,800 | $4,800 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,000 | $2,200 | -$200 |
| Total (driving) | $12,079 | $12,444 | -$365 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,434 | $8,434 | - |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Arcadia | Horseshoe Bay | 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 — Arcadia vs Horseshoe Bay (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Arcadia costs $365 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $4,185 in favour of Arcadia.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $365 per year. Horseshoe Bay is 15.4 km from Brisbane CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 88c/km.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $8,434 and $8,434 a year, so the $365 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Arcadia cumulative | Horseshoe Bay cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $12,079 | $12,444 | $365 |
| Year 3 | $37,335 | $38,463 | $1,128 |
| Year 5 | $64,129 | $66,067 | $1,938 |
| Year 10 | $138,472 | $142,657 | $4,185 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Arcadia or Horseshoe Bay cheaper to live in?
Arcadia is cheaper to run by car at $12,079 per year versus $12,444 for Horseshoe Bay, a difference of $365 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Arcadia and Horseshoe Bay?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,343 in Arcadia (Townsville City Council) and $1,343 in Horseshoe Bay (Townsville City Council). Water and sewerage adds $2,099 in Arcadia and $2,099 in Horseshoe 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 Horseshoe Bay?
Annual driving commute costs are $3,837 from Arcadia and $4,202 from Horseshoe Bay to Brisbane CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Arcadia and $192 from Horseshoe Bay.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Arcadia and Horseshoe Bay?
At 3% annual cost growth, Arcadia costs a cumulative $138,472 and Horseshoe Bay costs $142,657 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $4,185 in favour of Arcadia. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Arcadia and Horseshoe 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 88c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.