Belgian Gardens vs Rowes Bay: 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 Rowes Bay are both Townsville City Council suburbs, sitting 2.9 km and 4.1 km from Townsville CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $17 a year of each other to run, so running cost is a minor factor here. The decision comes down to schools, risk and lifestyle, all in the free report.
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 →Belgian Gardens
Rowes Bay
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Belgian Gardens | Rowes Bay | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,343 | $1,343 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $2,099 | $2,099 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $976 | $1,359 | -$383 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $5,200 | $4,800 | +$400 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $3,800 | $2,200 | +$1,600 |
| Total (driving) | $9,618 | $9,601 | +$17 |
| 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 | Rowes Bay | 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 Rowes Bay (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Belgian Gardens and Rowes Bay cost within $17 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $195, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $400 per year. Belgian Gardens carries medium flood risk, which pushes estimated premiums higher.
On public transport the gap is $400 per year, $8,834 from Belgian Gardens versus $8,434 from Rowes Bay.
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 Belgian Gardens by $383 a year, $976 against $1,359.
- Building insurance favours Rowes Bay 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 Rowes Bay, which feeds the insurance estimate.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Belgian Gardens cumulative | Rowes Bay cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $9,618 | $9,601 | $17 |
| Year 3 | $29,728 | $29,676 | $52 |
| Year 5 | $51,063 | $50,973 | $90 |
| Year 10 | $110,260 | $110,065 | $195 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Belgian Gardens or Rowes Bay cheaper to live in?
Rowes Bay is cheaper to run by car at $9,601 per year versus $9,618 for Belgian Gardens, a difference of $17 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 Rowes Bay?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,343 in Belgian Gardens (Townsville City Council) and $1,343 in Rowes Bay (Townsville City Council). Water and sewerage adds $2,099 in Belgian Gardens and $2,099 in Rowes Bay. 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 Rowes Bay?
Annual driving commute costs are $976 from Belgian Gardens and $1,359 from Rowes Bay to Townsville CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Belgian Gardens and $192 from Rowes Bay.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Belgian Gardens and Rowes Bay?
At 3% annual cost growth, Belgian Gardens costs a cumulative $110,260 and Rowes Bay costs $110,065 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $195 in favour of Rowes Bay. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Belgian Gardens and Rowes Bay 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.