Barron 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 and Kamerunga are both Cairns Regional Council suburbs, sitting 9.3 km and 10.7 km from Cairns CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $217 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 the gap between these two is about $2,500, about $5 a week, and most of it is the AI-estimated insurance line.
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Kamerunga
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Barron | 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 | $2,872 | $3,239 | -$367 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $3,450 | $3,300 | +$150 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,200 | $2,200 | - |
| Total (driving) | $9,253 | $9,470 | -$217 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,573 | $6,423 | +$150 |
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 | 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 vs Kamerunga (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Barron and Kamerunga differ by $217 a year by car, but $150 of that is the building insurance estimate rather than a published figure. On the sourced costs, council rates, water and the commute, the gap is $367, so neither suburb is named cheaper here.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $367 per year. Kamerunga is 10.7 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, $6,573 and $6,423 a year, so the $217 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
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 Barron by $367 a year, $2,872 against $3,239.
- Building insurance favours Kamerunga by $150 a year, $3,300 against $3,450.
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.
The catchment state school scores 7.6 in Barron against 6.5 in Kamerunga, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Barron cumulative | Kamerunga cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $9,253 | $9,470 | $217 |
| Year 3 | $28,600 | $29,271 | $671 |
| Year 5 | $49,125 | $50,278 | $1,153 |
| Year 10 | $106,075 | $108,563 | $2,488 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Barron or Kamerunga cheaper to live in?
Neither is named cheaper. Barron runs $9,253 a year by car and Kamerunga $9,470, but most of the $217 difference is the building insurance estimate rather than a published figure. On council rates, water and the commute, which are sourced, the gap is $367. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Barron and Kamerunga?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,166 in Barron (Cairns Regional Council) and $1,166 in Kamerunga (Cairns Regional Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,765 in Barron 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 and Kamerunga?
Annual driving commute costs are $2,872 from Barron and $3,239 from Kamerunga to Cairns CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Barron and $192 from Kamerunga.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Barron and Kamerunga?
At 3% annual cost growth, Barron costs a cumulative $106,075 and Kamerunga costs $108,563 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $2,488 in favour of Barron. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Barron 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.