Bonnie Doon vs Killaloe, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Bonnie Doon and Killaloe are both Douglas Shire Council suburbs, sitting 65.2 km and 60.5 km from Cairns CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Bonnie Doon runs $1,138 a year cheaper than Killaloe, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $13,046.
Over 10 years, Bonnie Doon costs about $13,000 less to run than Killaloe. That's about $25 a week.
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Killaloe
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Bonnie Doon | Killaloe | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,400 | $1,400 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $1,765 | $1,765 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $4,215 | $5,153 | -$938 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $4,215 | $5,153 | -$938 |
| Home insurance Estimated | $3,300 | $3,500 | -$200 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $1,400 | $1,500 | -$100 |
| Total (driving) | $10,680 | $11,818 | -$1,138 |
| Total (public transport) | $10,680 | $11,818 | -$1,138 |
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 | Bonnie Doon | Killaloe | 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, Bonnie Doon vs Killaloe (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Bonnie Doon costs $1,138 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $13,046 in favour of Bonnie Doon.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $938 per year. Bonnie Doon is 65.2 km from Cairns CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the gap is $1,138 per year, $10,680 from Bonnie Doon versus $11,818 from Killaloe.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,400 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,765 a year.
- Driving commute favours Bonnie Doon by $938 a year, $4,215 against $5,153.
- Building insurance favours Bonnie Doon by $200 a year, $3,300 against $3,500.
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.
The catchment state school scores 6.3 in Killaloe against 3 in Bonnie Doon, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Bonnie Doon cumulative | Killaloe cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $10,680 | $11,818 | $1,138 |
| Year 3 | $33,011 | $36,528 | $3,517 |
| Year 5 | $56,702 | $62,743 | $6,041 |
| Year 10 | $122,434 | $135,480 | $13,046 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Bonnie Doon or Killaloe cheaper to live in?
Bonnie Doon is cheaper to run by car at $10,680 per year versus $11,818 for Killaloe, a difference of $1,138 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Bonnie Doon and Killaloe?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,400 in Bonnie Doon (Douglas Shire Council) and $1,400 in Killaloe (Douglas Shire Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,765 in Bonnie Doon and $1,765 in Killaloe. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Bonnie Doon and Killaloe?
Annual driving commute costs are $4,215 from Bonnie Doon and $5,153 from Killaloe to Cairns CBD (ATO 91c/km). No daily public transport commute is assumed from either suburb, so both are costed by car.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Bonnie Doon and Killaloe?
At 3% annual cost growth, Bonnie Doon costs a cumulative $122,434 and Killaloe costs $135,480 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $13,046 in favour of Bonnie Doon. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Bonnie Doon and Killaloe suits you better?
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Related comparisons
Sources: Douglas Shire Council and Douglas Shire 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.