Beach Holm vs Yabulu, 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 Yabulu are both Townsville City Council suburbs, sitting 18.8 km and 23.4 km from Townsville CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Beach Holm runs $359 a year cheaper than Yabulu, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $4,116.
Over 10 years the gap between these two is about $4,100, about $8 a week, and most of it is the AI-estimated insurance line.
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Yabulu
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Beach Holm | Yabulu | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,343 | $1,343 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $2,099 | $2,099 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $5,026 | $5,785 | -$759 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $4,150 | $3,750 | +$400 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,000 | $1,600 | +$400 |
| Total (driving) | $12,618 | $12,977 | -$359 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,784 | $7,384 | +$400 |
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 | Beach Holm | Yabulu | 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 Yabulu (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Beach Holm and Yabulu differ by $359 a year by car, but $400 of that is the building insurance estimate rather than a published figure. On the sourced costs, council rates, water and the commute, the gap is $759, so neither suburb is named cheaper here.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $759 per year. Yabulu is 23.4 km from Townsville CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the gap is $400 per year, $7,784 from Beach Holm versus $7,384 from Yabulu.
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 Beach Holm by $759 a year, $5,026 against $5,785.
- Building insurance favours Yabulu by $400 a year, $3,750 against $4,150.
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 | Beach Holm cumulative | Yabulu cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $12,618 | $12,977 | $359 |
| Year 3 | $39,001 | $40,111 | $1,110 |
| Year 5 | $66,991 | $68,897 | $1,906 |
| Year 10 | $144,651 | $148,767 | $4,116 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Beach Holm or Yabulu cheaper to live in?
Neither is named cheaper. Beach Holm runs $12,618 a year by car and Yabulu $12,977, but most of the $359 difference is the building insurance estimate rather than a published figure. On council rates, water and the commute, which are sourced, the gap is $759. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Beach Holm and Yabulu?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,343 in Beach Holm (Townsville City Council) and $1,343 in Yabulu (Townsville City Council). Water and sewerage adds $2,099 in Beach Holm and $2,099 in Yabulu. 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 Yabulu?
Annual driving commute costs are $5,026 from Beach Holm and $5,785 from Yabulu to Townsville CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Beach Holm and $192 from Yabulu.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Beach Holm and Yabulu?
At 3% annual cost growth, Beach Holm costs a cumulative $144,651 and Yabulu costs $148,767 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $4,116 in favour of Beach Holm. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Beach Holm and Yabulu suits you better?
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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 insurance estimates from ACCC premium rates. Data updated July 2026.