Bayview Heights vs Earlville: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 88c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Bayview Heights and Earlville are both Cairns Regional Council suburbs, sitting 7.4 km and 5.9 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $122 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 →Bayview Heights
Earlville
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Bayview Heights | Earlville | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,165 | $1,165 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,765 | $1,765 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $2,269 | $1,847 | +$422 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $6,500 | $6,800 | -$300 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,200 | $2,200 | - |
| Total (driving) | $11,699 | $11,577 | +$122 |
| Total (public transport) | $9,622 | $9,922 | -$300 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Bayview Heights | Earlville | 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 — Bayview Heights vs Earlville (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Bayview Heights and Earlville cost within $122 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $1,399, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $422 per year. Bayview Heights is 7.4 km from Brisbane CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 88c/km.
On public transport the gap is $300 per year, $9,622 from Bayview Heights versus $9,922 from Earlville.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Bayview Heights cumulative | Earlville cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,699 | $11,577 | $122 |
| Year 3 | $36,160 | $35,783 | $377 |
| Year 5 | $62,112 | $61,464 | $648 |
| Year 10 | $134,116 | $132,717 | $1,399 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Bayview Heights or Earlville cheaper to live in?
Earlville is cheaper to run by car at $11,577 per year versus $11,699 for Bayview Heights, a difference of $122 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Bayview Heights and Earlville?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,165 in Bayview Heights (Cairns Regional Council) and $1,165 in Earlville (Cairns Regional Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,765 in Bayview Heights and $1,765 in Earlville. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Bayview Heights and Earlville?
Annual driving commute costs are $2,269 from Bayview Heights and $1,847 from Earlville to Brisbane CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Bayview Heights and $192 from Earlville.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Bayview Heights and Earlville?
At 3% annual cost growth, Bayview Heights costs a cumulative $134,116 and Earlville costs $132,717 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $1,399 in favour of Earlville. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Bayview Heights and Earlville 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.