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 $1,137 a year cheaper than Bushland Beach, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $13,034.
Over 10 years, Burdell costs about $13,000 less to run than Bushland Beach — the same as paying $13,000 less for the home. It's the cost no listing shows you.
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Bushland Beach
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Burdell | Bushland Beach | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,343 | $1,343 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $2,099 | $2,099 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $3,852 | $4,389 | -$537 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $4,200 | $4,800 | -$600 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,200 | $2,200 | - |
| Total (driving) | $11,494 | $12,631 | -$1,137 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,834 | $8,434 | -$600 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; 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 costs $1,137 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $13,034 in favour of Burdell.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $600 per year.
On public transport the gap is $600 per year, $7,834 from Burdell versus $8,434 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 $600 a year, $4,200 against $4,800.
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 | Burdell cumulative | Bushland Beach cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,494 | $12,631 | $1,137 |
| Year 3 | $35,527 | $39,041 | $3,514 |
| Year 5 | $61,023 | $67,060 | $6,037 |
| Year 10 | $131,766 | $144,800 | $13,034 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Burdell or Bushland Beach cheaper to live in?
Burdell is cheaper to run by car at $11,494 per year versus $12,631 for Bushland Beach, a difference of $1,137 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. 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 $131,766 and Bushland Beach costs $144,800 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $13,034 in favour of Burdell. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Burdell and Bushland Beach 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: 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 AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.