Black River vs Jensen, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Black River and Jensen are both Townsville City Council suburbs, sitting 23 km and 18.4 km from Townsville CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Jensen runs $1,326 a year cheaper than Black River, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $15,201.
Over 10 years, Jensen costs about $15,200 less to run than Black River. That's about $29 a week.
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Jensen
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Black River | Jensen | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,343 | $1,343 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $2,099 | $2,099 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $5,727 | $4,951 | +$776 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $4,150 | $3,600 | +$550 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $1,600 | $2,200 | -$600 |
| Total (driving) | $13,319 | $11,993 | +$1,326 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,784 | $7,234 | +$550 |
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 | Black River | Jensen | 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, Black River vs Jensen (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Jensen costs $1,326 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $15,201 in favour of Jensen.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $776 per year. Black River is 23 km from Townsville CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the gap is $550 per year, $7,784 from Black River versus $7,234 from Jensen.
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 Jensen by $776 a year, $4,951 against $5,727.
- Building insurance favours Jensen by $550 a year, $3,600 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 | Black River cumulative | Jensen cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $13,319 | $11,993 | $1,326 |
| Year 3 | $41,168 | $37,069 | $4,099 |
| Year 5 | $70,712 | $63,672 | $7,040 |
| Year 10 | $152,687 | $137,486 | $15,201 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Black River or Jensen cheaper to live in?
Jensen is cheaper to run by car at $11,993 per year versus $13,319 for Black River, a difference of $1,326 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Black River and Jensen?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,343 in Black River (Townsville City Council) and $1,343 in Jensen (Townsville City Council). Water and sewerage adds $2,099 in Black River and $2,099 in Jensen. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Black River and Jensen?
Annual driving commute costs are $5,727 from Black River and $4,951 from Jensen to Townsville CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Black River and $192 from Jensen.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Black River and Jensen?
At 3% annual cost growth, Black River costs a cumulative $152,687 and Jensen costs $137,486 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $15,201 in favour of Jensen. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Black River and Jensen 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.