Burdell vs Bushland Beach, true annual running costs compared 2026
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Burdell and Bushland Beach are both Townsville City Council suburbs, sitting 13.2 km and 15.6 km from Townsville CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Burdell runs $1,087 a year cheaper than Bushland Beach, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $12,461.
Over 10 years the gap between these two is about $12,500, about $24 a week, and most of it is the AI-estimated insurance line.
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Bushland Beach
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Burdell | Bushland Beach | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates Official, 2026-27 | $1,343 | $1,343 | - |
| Water & sewerage Official, 2026-27 | $2,099 | $2,099 | - |
| Commute (driving) Modelled, 2026-27 | $3,852 | $4,389 | -$537 |
| Commute (public transport) Modelled, 2026-27 | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance Estimated | $3,600 | $4,150 | -$550 |
| Body corporate (unit) Estimated | $2,200 | $2,200 | - |
| Total (driving) | $10,894 | $11,981 | -$1,087 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,234 | $7,784 | -$550 |
Totals exclude electricity, estimated separately below. Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance estimated from ACCC premium rates; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Burdell | Bushland Beach | 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, Burdell vs Bushland Beach (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Burdell and Bushland Beach differ by $1,087 a year by car, but $550 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 $537, so neither suburb is named cheaper here.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $550 per year.
On public transport the gap is $550 per year, $7,234 from Burdell versus $7,784 from Bushland Beach.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,343 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $2,099 a year.
- Driving commute favours Burdell by $537 a year, $3,852 against $4,389.
- Building insurance favours Burdell by $550 a year, $3,600 against $4,150.
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 | Burdell cumulative | Bushland Beach cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $10,894 | $11,981 | $1,087 |
| Year 3 | $33,672 | $37,032 | $3,360 |
| Year 5 | $57,838 | $63,609 | $5,771 |
| Year 10 | $124,888 | $137,349 | $12,461 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Burdell or Bushland Beach cheaper to live in?
Neither is named cheaper. Burdell runs $10,894 a year by car and Bushland Beach $11,981, but most of the $1,087 difference is the building insurance estimate rather than a published figure. On council rates, water and the commute, which are sourced, the gap is $537. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Burdell and Bushland Beach?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,343 in Burdell (Townsville City Council) and $1,343 in Bushland Beach (Townsville City Council). Water and sewerage adds $2,099 in Burdell and $2,099 in Bushland Beach. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Burdell and Bushland Beach?
Annual driving commute costs are $3,852 from Burdell and $4,389 from Bushland Beach to Townsville CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Burdell and $192 from Bushland Beach.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Burdell and Bushland Beach?
At 3% annual cost growth, Burdell costs a cumulative $124,888 and Bushland Beach costs $137,349 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $12,461 in favour of Burdell. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Burdell and Bushland Beach suits you better?
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Sources: Townsville City Council and Townsville City 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.