Boogan vs Wangan: 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 Wangan are both Cassowary Coast Regional Council suburbs, sitting 80.8 km and 76.7 km from Cairns CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Wangan runs $479 a year cheaper than Boogan, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $5,492.
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 →Boogan
Wangan
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Boogan | Wangan | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,415 | $1,415 | - |
| Water & sewerage stand-in | $1,765 | $1,765 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $3,529 | $3,350 | +$179 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $6,800 | $6,500 | +$300 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,400 | $1,500 | -$100 |
| Total (driving) | $13,509 | $13,030 | +$479 |
| Total (public transport) | $10,172 | $9,872 | +$300 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Boogan's water charge is Cairns Regional Council Water & Sewerage's, standing in until its own council's schedule is loaded. Wangan'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 | Wangan | 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 Wangan (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Wangan costs $479 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $5,492 in favour of Wangan.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $300 per year.
On public transport the gap is $300 per year, $10,172 from Boogan versus $9,872 from Wangan.
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 Wangan by $179 a year, $3,350 against $3,529.
- Building insurance favours Wangan by $300 a year, $6,500 against $6,800.
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 | Wangan cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $13,509 | $13,030 | $479 |
| Year 3 | $41,755 | $40,274 | $1,481 |
| Year 5 | $71,721 | $69,178 | $2,543 |
| Year 10 | $154,866 | $149,374 | $5,492 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Boogan or Wangan cheaper to live in?
Wangan is cheaper to run by car at $13,030 per year versus $13,509 for Boogan, a difference of $479 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Boogan and Wangan?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,415 in Boogan (Cassowary Coast Regional Council) and $1,415 in Wangan (Cassowary Coast Regional Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,765 in Boogan and $1,765 in Wangan. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Boogan and Wangan?
Annual driving commute costs are $3,529 from Boogan and $3,350 from Wangan to Cairns CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Boogan and $192 from Wangan.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Boogan and Wangan?
At 3% annual cost growth, Boogan costs a cumulative $154,866 and Wangan costs $149,374 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $5,492 in favour of Wangan. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Boogan and Wangan 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.
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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 AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.