Bungalow vs Woree: 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 Woree are both Cairns Regional Council suburbs, sitting 3.1 km and 5.6 km from Cairns CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Bungalow runs $479 a year cheaper than Woree, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $5,491.
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
Woree
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Bungalow | Woree | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,166 | $1,166 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,765 | $1,765 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $1,041 | $1,820 | -$779 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $6,500 | $6,200 | +$300 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,200 | $2,200 | - |
| Total (driving) | $10,472 | $10,951 | -$479 |
| Total (public transport) | $9,623 | $9,323 | +$300 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Bungalow | Woree | 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 Woree (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Bungalow costs $479 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $5,491 in favour of Bungalow.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $779 per year. Woree is 5.6 km from Cairns CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the gap is $300 per year, $9,623 from Bungalow versus $9,323 from Woree.
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 Bungalow by $779 a year, $1,041 against $1,820.
- Building insurance favours Woree by $300 a year, $6,200 against $6,500.
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.
The catchment state school scores 2.5 in Woree against 1 in Bungalow, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Bungalow cumulative | Woree cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $10,472 | $10,951 | $479 |
| Year 3 | $32,368 | $33,848 | $1,480 |
| Year 5 | $55,597 | $58,140 | $2,543 |
| Year 10 | $120,050 | $125,541 | $5,491 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Bungalow or Woree cheaper to live in?
Bungalow is cheaper to run by car at $10,472 per year versus $10,951 for Woree, 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 Bungalow and Woree?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,166 in Bungalow (Cairns Regional Council) and $1,166 in Woree (Cairns Regional Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,765 in Bungalow and $1,765 in Woree. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Bungalow and Woree?
Annual driving commute costs are $1,041 from Bungalow and $1,820 from Woree to Cairns CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Bungalow and $192 from Woree.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Bungalow and Woree?
At 3% annual cost growth, Bungalow costs a cumulative $120,050 and Woree costs $125,541 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $5,491 in favour of Bungalow. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Bungalow and Woree 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 91c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.