Bayview Heights vs Earlville: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/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 Cairns CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $136 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 | $1,166 | $1,166 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,765 | $1,765 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $2,346 | $1,910 | +$436 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $6,500 | $6,800 | -$300 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,200 | $2,200 | - |
| Total (driving) | $11,777 | $11,641 | +$136 |
| Total (public transport) | $9,623 | $9,923 | -$300 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Bayview Heights | Earlville | 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 — Bayview Heights vs Earlville (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Bayview Heights and Earlville cost within $136 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $1,559, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $436 per year. Bayview Heights is 7.4 km from Cairns CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the gap is $300 per year, $9,623 from Bayview Heights versus $9,923 from Earlville.
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 Earlville by $436 a year, $1,910 against $2,346.
- Building insurance favours Bayview Heights by $300 a year, $6,500 against $6,800.
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 | Bayview Heights cumulative | Earlville cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,777 | $11,641 | $136 |
| Year 3 | $36,402 | $35,981 | $421 |
| Year 5 | $62,526 | $61,804 | $722 |
| Year 10 | $135,010 | $133,451 | $1,559 |
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 $11,641 per year versus $11,777 for Bayview Heights, a difference of $136 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Bayview Heights and Earlville?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,166 in Bayview Heights (Cairns Regional Council) and $1,166 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 $2,346 from Bayview Heights and $1,910 from Earlville to Cairns CBD (ATO 91c/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 $135,010 and Earlville costs $133,451 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $1,559 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.
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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 AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.