Balgal Beach vs Rollingstone: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 88c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Balgal Beach and Rollingstone are both Townsville City Council suburbs, sitting 49.1 km and 51.8 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Balgal Beach runs $361 a year cheaper than Rollingstone, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $4,138.
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 →Balgal Beach
Rollingstone
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Balgal Beach | Rollingstone | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,343 | $1,343 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $2,099 | $2,099 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $6,409 | $6,170 | +$239 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $4,200 | $4,800 | -$600 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,600 | $1,500 | +$100 |
| Total (driving) | $14,051 | $14,412 | -$361 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,834 | $8,434 | -$600 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Balgal Beach | Rollingstone | 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 — Balgal Beach vs Rollingstone (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Balgal Beach costs $361 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $4,138 in favour of Balgal Beach.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $600 per year.
On public transport the gap is $600 per year, $7,834 from Balgal Beach versus $8,434 from Rollingstone.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Balgal Beach cumulative | Rollingstone cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $14,051 | $14,412 | $361 |
| Year 3 | $43,430 | $44,546 | $1,116 |
| Year 5 | $74,599 | $76,515 | $1,916 |
| Year 10 | $161,079 | $165,217 | $4,138 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Balgal Beach or Rollingstone cheaper to live in?
Balgal Beach is cheaper to run by car at $14,051 per year versus $14,412 for Rollingstone, a difference of $361 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Balgal Beach and Rollingstone?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,343 in Balgal Beach (Townsville City Council) and $1,343 in Rollingstone (Townsville City Council). Water and sewerage adds $2,099 in Balgal Beach and $2,099 in Rollingstone. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Balgal Beach and Rollingstone?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,409 from Balgal Beach and $6,170 from Rollingstone to Brisbane CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Balgal Beach and $192 from Rollingstone.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Balgal Beach and Rollingstone?
At 3% annual cost growth, Balgal Beach costs a cumulative $161,079 and Rollingstone costs $165,217 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $4,138 in favour of Balgal Beach. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Balgal Beach and Rollingstone 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.