Arcadia vs Picnic 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 Picnic Bay are both Townsville City Council suburbs, sitting 13.7 km and 9.5 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Picnic Bay runs $1,008 a year cheaper than Arcadia, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $11,555.
Over 10 years, Picnic Bay costs about $11,600 less to run than Arcadia — the same as paying $11,600 less for the home. It's the cost no listing shows you.
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Picnic Bay
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Arcadia | Picnic Bay | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,343 | $1,343 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $2,099 | $2,099 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $3,837 | $2,829 | +$1,008 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $4,800 | $4,800 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,000 | $2,200 | -$200 |
| Total (driving) | $12,079 | $11,071 | +$1,008 |
| 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 | Picnic 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 Picnic Bay (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Picnic Bay costs $1,008 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $11,555 in favour of Picnic Bay.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $1,008 per year. Arcadia is 13.7 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 $1,008 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Arcadia cumulative | Picnic Bay cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $12,079 | $11,071 | $1,008 |
| Year 3 | $37,335 | $34,219 | $3,116 |
| Year 5 | $64,129 | $58,777 | $5,352 |
| Year 10 | $138,472 | $126,917 | $11,555 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Arcadia or Picnic Bay cheaper to live in?
Picnic Bay is cheaper to run by car at $11,071 per year versus $12,079 for Arcadia, a difference of $1,008 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Arcadia and Picnic Bay?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,343 in Arcadia (Townsville City Council) and $1,343 in Picnic Bay (Townsville City Council). Water and sewerage adds $2,099 in Arcadia and $2,099 in Picnic 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 Picnic Bay?
Annual driving commute costs are $3,837 from Arcadia and $2,829 from Picnic Bay to Brisbane CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Arcadia and $192 from Picnic Bay.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Arcadia and Picnic Bay?
At 3% annual cost growth, Arcadia costs a cumulative $138,472 and Picnic Bay costs $126,917 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $11,555 in favour of Picnic Bay. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Arcadia and Picnic 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.
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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 88c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.