Boogan vs Currajah, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Boogan and Currajah are both Cassowary Coast Regional Council suburbs, sitting 80.8 km and 76.6 km from Cairns CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $133 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, Currajah costs about $1,500 less to run than Boogan. That's about $3 a week.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict → Personalise this comparison with your own commute, home type and loan →Boogan
Currajah
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Boogan | Currajah | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,415 | $1,415 | - |
| Water & sewerage Estimated stand-in | $1,765 | $1,765 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $3,529 | $3,346 | +$183 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $3,529 | $3,346 | +$183 |
| Home insurance Estimated | $3,650 | $3,700 | -$50 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $1,400 | $1,400 | - |
| Total (driving) | $10,359 | $10,226 | +$133 |
| Total (public transport) | $10,359 | $10,226 | +$133 |
Totals exclude electricity, estimated separately below. Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance estimated from ACCC premium rates; actual premiums vary. Boogan's water charge is Cairns Regional Council Water & Sewerage's, standing in until its own council's schedule is loaded. Currajah's water charge is Cairns Regional Council Water & Sewerage's, standing in until its own council's schedule is loaded. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Boogan | Currajah | 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, Boogan vs Currajah (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Boogan and Currajah cost within $133 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $1,524, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $183 per year. Boogan is 80.8 km from Cairns CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $10,359 and $10,226 a year, so the $133 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,415 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,765 a year.
- Driving commute favours Currajah by $183 a year, $3,346 against $3,529.
- Building insurance favours Boogan by $50 a year, $3,650 against $3,700.
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 | Boogan cumulative | Currajah cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $10,359 | $10,226 | $133 |
| Year 3 | $32,019 | $31,608 | $411 |
| Year 5 | $54,997 | $54,291 | $706 |
| Year 10 | $118,754 | $117,230 | $1,524 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Boogan or Currajah cheaper to live in?
Currajah is cheaper to run by car at $10,226 per year versus $10,359 for Boogan, a difference of $133 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Boogan and Currajah?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,415 in Boogan (Cassowary Coast Regional Council) and $1,415 in Currajah (Cassowary Coast Regional Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,765 in Boogan and $1,765 in Currajah. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Boogan and Currajah?
Annual driving commute costs are $3,529 from Boogan and $3,346 from Currajah 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 Boogan and Currajah?
At 3% annual cost growth, Boogan costs a cumulative $118,754 and Currajah costs $117,230 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $1,524 in favour of Currajah. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Boogan and Currajah suits you better?
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Sources: Cassowary Coast Regional Council and Cassowary Coast Regional 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.