Barrine vs Yungaburra, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Barrine and Yungaburra are both Tablelands Regional Council suburbs, sitting 38.5 km and 43.4 km from Cairns CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $40 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.
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Yungaburra
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Barrine | Yungaburra | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,189 | $1,189 | - |
| Water & sewerage Estimated stand-in | $1,765 | $1,765 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $6,979 | $6,939 | +$40 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $6,979 | $6,939 | +$40 |
| Home insurance Estimated | $2,450 | $2,450 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $1,600 | $1,600 | - |
| Total (driving) | $12,383 | $12,343 | +$40 |
| Total (public transport) | $12,383 | $12,343 | +$40 |
Totals exclude electricity, estimated separately below. Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance estimated from ACCC premium rates; actual premiums vary. Barrine's water charge is Cairns Regional Council Water & Sewerage's, standing in until its own council's schedule is loaded. Yungaburra's water charge is Cairns Regional Council Water & Sewerage's, standing in until its own council's schedule is loaded. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Barrine | Yungaburra | 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, Barrine vs Yungaburra (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Barrine and Yungaburra cost within $40 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $458, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $40 per year. Yungaburra is 43.4 km from Cairns CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $12,383 and $12,343 a year, so the $40 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,189 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,765 a year.
- Driving commute favours Yungaburra by $40 a year, $6,939 against $6,979.
- Building insurance is identical at $2,450 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.
Fire risk is rated medium in Yungaburra against low in Barrine, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Barrine cumulative | Yungaburra cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $12,383 | $12,343 | $40 |
| Year 3 | $38,275 | $38,151 | $124 |
| Year 5 | $65,743 | $65,531 | $212 |
| Year 10 | $141,957 | $141,499 | $458 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Barrine or Yungaburra cheaper to live in?
Yungaburra is cheaper to run by car at $12,343 per year versus $12,383 for Barrine, a difference of $40 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Barrine and Yungaburra?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,189 in Barrine (Tablelands Regional Council) and $1,189 in Yungaburra (Tablelands Regional Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,765 in Barrine and $1,765 in Yungaburra. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Barrine and Yungaburra?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,979 from Barrine and $6,939 from Yungaburra to Cairns CBD (ATO 91c/km). No daily public transport commute is assumed from either suburb, so both are costed by car.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Barrine and Yungaburra?
At 3% annual cost growth, Barrine costs a cumulative $141,957 and Yungaburra costs $141,499 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $458 in favour of Yungaburra. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Barrine and Yungaburra suits you better?
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Sources: Tablelands Regional Council and Tablelands Regional Council rate data, water utility pricing (QLD: Queensland Urban Utilities / Unitywater; NSW: Sydney Water / Hunter Water), ATO 91c/km, and SuburbCost insurance estimates from ACCC premium rates. Data updated July 2026.