Barron Gorge vs Kamerunga, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Barron Gorge and Kamerunga are both Cairns Regional Council suburbs, sitting 12.3 km and 10.7 km from Cairns CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Kamerunga runs $648 a year cheaper than Barron Gorge, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $7,429.
Over 10 years, Kamerunga costs about $7,400 less to run than Barron Gorge. That's about $14 a week.
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Kamerunga
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Barron Gorge | Kamerunga | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,166 | $1,166 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,765 | $1,765 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $3,637 | $3,239 | +$398 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $3,550 | $3,300 | +$250 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $1,800 | $2,200 | -$400 |
| Total (driving) | $10,118 | $9,470 | +$648 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,673 | $6,423 | +$250 |
Totals exclude electricity, estimated separately below. Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance estimated from ACCC premium rates; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Barron Gorge | Kamerunga | 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, Barron Gorge vs Kamerunga (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Kamerunga costs $648 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $7,429 in favour of Kamerunga.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $398 per year. Barron Gorge is 12.3 km from Cairns CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the gap is $250 per year, $6,673 from Barron Gorge versus $6,423 from Kamerunga.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,166 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,765 a year.
- Driving commute favours Kamerunga by $398 a year, $3,239 against $3,637.
- Building insurance favours Kamerunga by $250 a year, $3,300 against $3,550.
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 and the insurance band.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Barron Gorge cumulative | Kamerunga cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $10,118 | $9,470 | $648 |
| Year 3 | $31,274 | $29,271 | $2,003 |
| Year 5 | $53,718 | $50,278 | $3,440 |
| Year 10 | $115,992 | $108,563 | $7,429 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Barron Gorge or Kamerunga cheaper to live in?
Kamerunga is cheaper to run by car at $9,470 per year versus $10,118 for Barron Gorge, a difference of $648 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Barron Gorge and Kamerunga?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,166 in Barron Gorge (Cairns Regional Council) and $1,166 in Kamerunga (Cairns Regional Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,765 in Barron Gorge and $1,765 in Kamerunga. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Barron Gorge and Kamerunga?
Annual driving commute costs are $3,637 from Barron Gorge and $3,239 from Kamerunga to Cairns CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Barron Gorge and $192 from Kamerunga.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Barron Gorge and Kamerunga?
At 3% annual cost growth, Barron Gorge costs a cumulative $115,992 and Kamerunga costs $108,563 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $7,429 in favour of Kamerunga. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Barron Gorge and Kamerunga suits you better?
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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 91c/km, and SuburbCost insurance estimates from ACCC premium rates. Data updated July 2026.