Bungalow vs Manunda: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 88c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Bungalow and Manunda are both Cairns Regional Council suburbs, sitting 3.1 km and 3.1 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Manunda runs $500 a year cheaper than Bungalow, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $5,732.
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 →Bungalow
Manunda
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Bungalow | Manunda | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,165 | $1,165 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,765 | $1,765 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $1,007 | $1,007 | - |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $6,500 | $6,000 | +$500 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,200 | $2,200 | - |
| Total (driving) | $10,437 | $9,937 | +$500 |
| Total (public transport) | $9,622 | $9,122 | +$500 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Bungalow | Manunda | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,218 | $2,218 | - |
| Unit | $1,773 | $1,773 | - |
Estimated from AER residential benchmarks for each suburb's climate zone at 2025 rates (QLD 30c/kWh, NSW 33c/kWh incl. supply charge; unit ≈ 75% of a house). Get the free report for a breakdown by your exact number of occupants.
Cost breakdown chart
Annual cost breakdown — Bungalow vs Manunda (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Manunda costs $500 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $5,732 in favour of Manunda.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $500 per year.
On public transport the gap is $500 per year, $9,622 from Bungalow versus $9,122 from Manunda.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Bungalow cumulative | Manunda cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $10,437 | $9,937 | $500 |
| Year 3 | $32,260 | $30,714 | $1,546 |
| Year 5 | $55,411 | $52,757 | $2,654 |
| Year 10 | $119,649 | $113,917 | $5,732 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Bungalow or Manunda cheaper to live in?
Manunda is cheaper to run by car at $9,937 per year versus $10,437 for Bungalow, a difference of $500 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Bungalow and Manunda?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,165 in Bungalow (Cairns Regional Council) and $1,165 in Manunda (Cairns Regional Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,765 in Bungalow and $1,765 in Manunda. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Bungalow and Manunda?
Annual driving commute costs are $1,007 from Bungalow and $1,007 from Manunda to Brisbane CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Bungalow and $192 from Manunda.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Bungalow and Manunda?
At 3% annual cost growth, Bungalow costs a cumulative $119,649 and Manunda costs $113,917 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $5,732 in favour of Manunda. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Bungalow and Manunda 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: Cairns Regional Council and Cairns Regional Council rate data, water utility pricing (QLD: Queensland Urban Utilities / Unitywater; NSW: Sydney Water / Hunter Water), ATO 88c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.