Barrine vs Yungaburra: 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 Yungaburra are both Cairns Regional Council suburbs, sitting 38.5 km and 43.4 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $39 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
Yungaburra
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Barrine | Yungaburra | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,165 | $1,165 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,765 | $1,765 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $6,749 | $6,710 | +$39 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $6,800 | $6,800 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,600 | $1,600 | - |
| Total (driving) | $16,479 | $16,440 | +$39 |
| Total (public transport) | $9,922 | $9,922 | - |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Barrine | Yungaburra | 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 Yungaburra (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Barrine and Yungaburra cost within $39 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $447, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $39 per year. Yungaburra is 43.4 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, $9,922 and $9,922 a year, so the $39 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Barrine cumulative | Yungaburra cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $16,479 | $16,440 | $39 |
| Year 3 | $50,935 | $50,814 | $121 |
| Year 5 | $87,489 | $87,282 | $207 |
| Year 10 | $188,913 | $188,466 | $447 |
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 $16,440 per year versus $16,479 for Barrine, a difference of $39 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Barrine and Yungaburra?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,165 in Barrine (Cairns Regional Council) and $1,165 in Yungaburra (Cairns 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 $6,749 from Barrine and $6,710 from Yungaburra to Brisbane CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Barrine and $192 from Yungaburra.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Barrine and Yungaburra?
At 3% annual cost growth, Barrine costs a cumulative $188,913 and Yungaburra costs $188,466 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $447 in favour of Yungaburra. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Barrine and Yungaburra 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: 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.