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.
Earlville runs $386 a year cheaper than Bayview Heights, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $4,425.
Over 10 years, Earlville costs about $4,400 less to run than Bayview Heights. That's about $9 a week.
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Earlville
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Bayview Heights | Earlville | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,166 | $1,166 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,765 | $1,765 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $2,346 | $1,910 | +$436 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $3,650 | $3,700 | -$50 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,200 | $2,200 | - |
| Total (driving) | $8,927 | $8,541 | +$386 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,773 | $6,823 | -$50 |
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 | 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
Earlville costs $386 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $4,425 in favour of Earlville.
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 two suburbs cost almost the same, $6,773 and $6,823 a year, so the $386 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 Earlville by $436 a year, $1,910 against $2,346.
- Building insurance favours Bayview Heights by $50 a year, $3,650 against $3,700.
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 | $8,927 | $8,541 | $386 |
| Year 3 | $27,592 | $26,399 | $1,193 |
| Year 5 | $47,395 | $45,345 | $2,050 |
| Year 10 | $102,338 | $97,913 | $4,425 |
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 $8,541 per year versus $8,927 for Bayview Heights, a difference of $386 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 $102,338 and Earlville costs $97,913 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $4,425 in favour of Earlville. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Bayview Heights and Earlville 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.