Bayview Heights vs Woree, 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 Woree are both Cairns Regional Council suburbs, sitting 7.4 km and 5.6 km from Cairns CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Woree runs $726 a year cheaper than Bayview Heights, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $8,323.
Over 10 years, Woree costs about $8,300 less to run than Bayview Heights. That's about $16 a week.
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Woree
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Bayview Heights | Woree | 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 | $1,820 | +$526 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $3,650 | $3,450 | +$200 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,200 | $2,200 | - |
| Total (driving) | $8,927 | $8,201 | +$726 |
| Total (public transport) | $6,773 | $6,573 | +$200 |
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 | Woree | 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 Woree (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Woree costs $726 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $8,323 in favour of Woree.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $526 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 $200 per year, $6,773 from Bayview Heights versus $6,573 from Woree.
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 Woree by $526 a year, $1,820 against $2,346.
- Building insurance favours Woree by $200 a year, $3,450 against $3,650.
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 | Woree cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $8,927 | $8,201 | $726 |
| Year 3 | $27,592 | $25,348 | $2,244 |
| Year 5 | $47,395 | $43,540 | $3,855 |
| Year 10 | $102,338 | $94,015 | $8,323 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Bayview Heights or Woree cheaper to live in?
Woree is cheaper to run by car at $8,201 per year versus $8,927 for Bayview Heights, a difference of $726 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 Woree?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,166 in Bayview Heights (Cairns Regional Council) and $1,166 in Woree (Cairns Regional Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,765 in Bayview Heights and $1,765 in Woree. 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 Woree?
Annual driving commute costs are $2,346 from Bayview Heights and $1,820 from Woree to Cairns CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Bayview Heights and $192 from Woree.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Bayview Heights and Woree?
At 3% annual cost growth, Bayview Heights costs a cumulative $102,338 and Woree costs $94,015 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $8,323 in favour of Woree. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Bayview Heights and Woree 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.