Barrine vs Lake Barrine: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 88c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Barrine and Lake Barrine are both Cairns Regional Council suburbs, sitting 38.5 km and 39.3 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $293 a year of each other to run, so running cost is a minor factor here — the decision comes down to schools, risk and lifestyle, all in the free report.
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 →Barrine
Lake Barrine
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Barrine | Lake Barrine | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,165 | $1,165 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,765 | $1,765 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $6,749 | $6,756 | -$7 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $6,800 | $6,500 | +$300 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,600 | $1,300 | +$300 |
| Total (driving) | $16,479 | $16,186 | +$293 |
| Total (public transport) | $9,922 | $9,622 | +$300 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Barrine | Lake Barrine | 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 — Barrine vs Lake Barrine (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Barrine and Lake Barrine cost within $293 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $3,359, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $300 per year.
On public transport the gap is $300 per year, $9,922 from Barrine versus $9,622 from Lake Barrine.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Barrine cumulative | Lake Barrine cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $16,479 | $16,186 | $293 |
| Year 3 | $50,935 | $50,029 | $906 |
| Year 5 | $87,489 | $85,934 | $1,555 |
| Year 10 | $188,913 | $185,554 | $3,359 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Barrine or Lake Barrine cheaper to live in?
Lake Barrine is cheaper to run by car at $16,186 per year versus $16,479 for Barrine, a difference of $293 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Barrine and Lake Barrine?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,165 in Barrine (Cairns Regional Council) and $1,165 in Lake Barrine (Cairns Regional Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,765 in Barrine and $1,765 in Lake Barrine. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Barrine and Lake Barrine?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,749 from Barrine and $6,756 from Lake Barrine to Brisbane CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Barrine and $192 from Lake Barrine.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Barrine and Lake Barrine?
At 3% annual cost growth, Barrine costs a cumulative $188,913 and Lake Barrine costs $185,554 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $3,359 in favour of Lake Barrine. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Barrine and Lake Barrine 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: Cairns Regional Council and Cairns Regional 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.