Boogan vs Stockton, 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 Stockton are both Cassowary Coast Regional Council suburbs, sitting 80.8 km and 77.6 km from Cairns CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Stockton runs $339 a year cheaper than Boogan, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $3,886.
Over 10 years the gap between these two is about $3,900, about $7 a week, and most of it is the AI-estimated insurance line.
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Stockton
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Boogan | Stockton | 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 | $3,390 | +$139 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $3,529 | $3,390 | +$139 |
| Home insurance Estimated | $3,650 | $3,450 | +$200 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $1,400 | $1,600 | -$200 |
| Total (driving) | $10,359 | $10,020 | +$339 |
| Total (public transport) | $10,359 | $10,020 | +$339 |
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. Stockton'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 | Stockton | 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 Stockton (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Boogan and Stockton differ by $339 a year by car, but $200 of that is the building insurance estimate rather than a published figure. On the sourced costs, council rates, water and the commute, the gap is $139, so neither suburb is named cheaper here.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $200 per year.
On public transport the gap is $339 per year, $10,359 from Boogan versus $10,020 from Stockton.
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 Stockton by $139 a year, $3,390 against $3,529.
- Building insurance favours Stockton by $200 a year, $3,450 against $3,650.
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 | Stockton cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $10,359 | $10,020 | $339 |
| Year 3 | $32,019 | $30,971 | $1,048 |
| Year 5 | $54,997 | $53,198 | $1,799 |
| Year 10 | $118,754 | $114,868 | $3,886 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Boogan or Stockton cheaper to live in?
Neither is named cheaper. Boogan runs $10,359 a year by car and Stockton $10,020, but most of the $339 difference is the building insurance estimate rather than a published figure. On council rates, water and the commute, which are sourced, the gap is $139. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Boogan and Stockton?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,415 in Boogan (Cassowary Coast Regional Council) and $1,415 in Stockton (Cassowary Coast Regional Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,765 in Boogan and $1,765 in Stockton. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Boogan and Stockton?
Annual driving commute costs are $3,529 from Boogan and $3,390 from Stockton 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 Stockton?
At 3% annual cost growth, Boogan costs a cumulative $118,754 and Stockton costs $114,868 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $3,886 in favour of Stockton. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Boogan and Stockton 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.