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 $4,115.
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
Yabulu
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Beach Holm | Yabulu | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,343 | $1,343 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $2,099 | $2,099 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $5,026 | $5,785 | -$759 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $4,800 | $4,400 | +$400 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,000 | $1,600 | +$400 |
| Total (driving) | $13,268 | $13,627 | -$359 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,434 | $8,034 | +$400 |
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 | 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 costs $359 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $4,115 in favour of Beach Holm.
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, $8,434 from Beach Holm versus $8,034 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, $4,400 against $4,800.
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 | Beach Holm cumulative | Yabulu cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $13,268 | $13,627 | $359 |
| Year 3 | $41,010 | $42,120 | $1,110 |
| Year 5 | $70,442 | $72,348 | $1,906 |
| Year 10 | $152,103 | $156,218 | $4,115 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Beach Holm or Yabulu cheaper to live in?
Beach Holm is cheaper to run by car at $13,268 per year versus $13,627 for Yabulu, a difference of $359 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 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 $152,103 and Yabulu costs $156,218 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $4,115 in favour of Beach Holm. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Beach Holm and Yabulu 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.
Related comparisons
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.