Bungalow vs Parramatta Park: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Bungalow and Parramatta Park are both Cairns Regional Council suburbs, sitting 3.1 km and 1.6 km from Cairns CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Parramatta Park runs $493 a year cheaper than Bungalow, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $5,652.
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
Parramatta Park
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Bungalow | Parramatta Park | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,166 | $1,166 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,765 | $1,765 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $1,041 | $548 | +$493 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $6,500 | $6,500 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,200 | $3,200 | -$1,000 |
| Total (driving) | $10,472 | $9,979 | +$493 |
| Total (public transport) | $9,623 | $9,623 | - |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Bungalow | Parramatta Park | 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 — Bungalow vs Parramatta Park (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Parramatta Park costs $493 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $5,652 in favour of Parramatta Park.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $493 per year. Bungalow is 3.1 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, $9,623 and $9,623 a year, so the $493 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,166 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,765 a year.
- Driving commute favours Parramatta Park by $493 a year, $548 against $1,041.
- Building insurance is identical at $6,500 a year.
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.
The catchment state school scores 3.2 in Parramatta Park against 1 in Bungalow, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Bungalow cumulative | Parramatta Park cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $10,472 | $9,979 | $493 |
| Year 3 | $32,368 | $30,844 | $1,524 |
| Year 5 | $55,597 | $52,980 | $2,617 |
| Year 10 | $120,050 | $114,398 | $5,652 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Bungalow or Parramatta Park cheaper to live in?
Parramatta Park is cheaper to run by car at $9,979 per year versus $10,472 for Bungalow, a difference of $493 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Bungalow and Parramatta Park?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,166 in Bungalow (Cairns Regional Council) and $1,166 in Parramatta Park (Cairns Regional Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,765 in Bungalow and $1,765 in Parramatta Park. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Bungalow and Parramatta Park?
Annual driving commute costs are $1,041 from Bungalow and $548 from Parramatta Park to Cairns CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Bungalow and $192 from Parramatta Park.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Bungalow and Parramatta Park?
At 3% annual cost growth, Bungalow costs a cumulative $120,050 and Parramatta Park costs $114,398 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $5,652 in favour of Parramatta Park. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Bungalow and Parramatta Park 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.
Related comparisons
Sources: Cairns Regional Council and Cairns 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.