Bentley Park vs Edmonton: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Bentley Park and Edmonton are both Cairns Regional Council suburbs, sitting 11.6 km and 11.7 km from Cairns CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $275 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 →Bentley Park
Edmonton
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Bentley Park | Edmonton | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,166 | $1,166 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,765 | $1,765 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $3,465 | $3,490 | -$25 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $6,500 | $6,200 | +$300 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,200 | $2,000 | +$200 |
| Total (driving) | $12,896 | $12,621 | +$275 |
| Total (public transport) | $9,623 | $9,323 | +$300 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Bentley Park | Edmonton | 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 — Bentley Park vs Edmonton (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Bentley Park and Edmonton cost within $275 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $3,152, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $300 per year.
On public transport the gap is $300 per year, $9,623 from Bentley Park versus $9,323 from Edmonton.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,166 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,765 a year.
- Driving commute favours Bentley Park by $25 a year, $3,465 against $3,490.
- Building insurance favours Edmonton by $300 a year, $6,200 against $6,500.
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 | Bentley Park cumulative | Edmonton cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $12,896 | $12,621 | $275 |
| Year 3 | $39,860 | $39,010 | $850 |
| Year 5 | $68,467 | $67,007 | $1,460 |
| Year 10 | $147,838 | $144,686 | $3,152 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Bentley Park or Edmonton cheaper to live in?
Edmonton is cheaper to run by car at $12,621 per year versus $12,896 for Bentley Park, a difference of $275 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Bentley Park and Edmonton?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,166 in Bentley Park (Cairns Regional Council) and $1,166 in Edmonton (Cairns Regional Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,765 in Bentley Park and $1,765 in Edmonton. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Bentley Park and Edmonton?
Annual driving commute costs are $3,465 from Bentley Park and $3,490 from Edmonton to Cairns CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Bentley Park and $192 from Edmonton.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Bentley Park and Edmonton?
At 3% annual cost growth, Bentley Park costs a cumulative $147,838 and Edmonton costs $144,686 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $3,152 in favour of Edmonton. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Bentley Park and Edmonton 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: Cairns Regional Council and Cairns Regional 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.