Belgian Gardens vs North Ward: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Belgian Gardens and North Ward are both Townsville City Council suburbs, sitting 2.9 km and 1.5 km from Townsville CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
North Ward runs $862 a year cheaper than Belgian Gardens, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $9,882.
Over 10 years, North Ward costs about $9,900 less to run than Belgian Gardens — the same as paying $9,900 less for the home. It's the cost no listing shows you.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict →Belgian Gardens
North Ward
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Belgian Gardens | North Ward | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,343 | $1,343 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $2,099 | $2,099 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $976 | $514 | +$462 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $5,200 | $4,800 | +$400 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $3,800 | $3,500 | +$300 |
| Total (driving) | $9,618 | $8,756 | +$862 |
| Total (public transport) | $8,834 | $8,434 | +$400 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Belgian Gardens | North Ward | 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 — Belgian Gardens vs North Ward (2026-27)
What the numbers show
North Ward costs $862 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $9,882 in favour of North Ward.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $462 per year. Belgian Gardens is 2.9 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, $8,834 from Belgian Gardens versus $8,434 from North Ward.
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 North Ward by $462 a year, $514 against $976.
- Building insurance favours North Ward by $400 a year, $4,800 against $5,200.
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.
Flood risk is rated medium in Belgian Gardens against low in North Ward, which feeds the insurance estimate. The catchment state school scores 7.4 in Belgian Gardens against 4.2 in North Ward, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Belgian Gardens cumulative | North Ward cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $9,618 | $8,756 | $862 |
| Year 3 | $29,728 | $27,064 | $2,664 |
| Year 5 | $51,063 | $46,487 | $4,576 |
| Year 10 | $110,260 | $100,378 | $9,882 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Belgian Gardens or North Ward cheaper to live in?
North Ward is cheaper to run by car at $8,756 per year versus $9,618 for Belgian Gardens, a difference of $862 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Belgian Gardens and North Ward?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,343 in Belgian Gardens (Townsville City Council) and $1,343 in North Ward (Townsville City Council). Water and sewerage adds $2,099 in Belgian Gardens and $2,099 in North Ward. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Belgian Gardens and North Ward?
Annual driving commute costs are $976 from Belgian Gardens and $514 from North Ward to Townsville CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Belgian Gardens and $192 from North Ward.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Belgian Gardens and North Ward?
At 3% annual cost growth, Belgian Gardens costs a cumulative $110,260 and North Ward costs $100,378 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $9,882 in favour of North Ward. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Belgian Gardens and North Ward 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.