Beach Holm vs Bushland Beach: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Beach Holm and Bushland Beach are both Townsville City Council suburbs, sitting 18.8 km and 15.6 km from Townsville CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Bushland Beach runs $637 a year cheaper than Beach Holm, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $7,303.
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 →Beach Holm
Bushland Beach
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Beach Holm | Bushland Beach | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,343 | $1,343 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $2,099 | $2,099 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $5,026 | $4,389 | +$637 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $4,800 | $4,800 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,000 | $2,200 | -$200 |
| Total (driving) | $13,268 | $12,631 | +$637 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,434 | $8,434 | - |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Beach Holm | Bushland Beach | 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 — Beach Holm vs Bushland Beach (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Bushland Beach costs $637 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $7,303 in favour of Bushland Beach.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $637 per year. Beach Holm is 18.8 km from Townsville CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $8,434 and $8,434 a year, so the $637 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,343 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $2,099 a year.
- Driving commute favours Bushland Beach by $637 a year, $4,389 against $5,026.
- Building insurance is identical at $4,800 a year.
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.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Beach Holm cumulative | Bushland Beach cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $13,268 | $12,631 | $637 |
| Year 3 | $41,010 | $39,041 | $1,969 |
| Year 5 | $70,442 | $67,060 | $3,382 |
| Year 10 | $152,103 | $144,800 | $7,303 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Beach Holm or Bushland Beach cheaper to live in?
Bushland Beach is cheaper to run by car at $12,631 per year versus $13,268 for Beach Holm, a difference of $637 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Beach Holm and Bushland Beach?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,343 in Beach Holm (Townsville City Council) and $1,343 in Bushland Beach (Townsville City Council). Water and sewerage adds $2,099 in Beach Holm and $2,099 in Bushland Beach. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Beach Holm and Bushland Beach?
Annual driving commute costs are $5,026 from Beach Holm and $4,389 from Bushland Beach to Townsville CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Beach Holm and $192 from Bushland Beach.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Beach Holm and Bushland Beach?
At 3% annual cost growth, Beach Holm costs a cumulative $152,103 and Bushland Beach costs $144,800 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $7,303 in favour of Bushland Beach. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Beach Holm and Bushland Beach 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: Townsville City Council and Townsville City 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.