Butchers Creek vs North Johnstone: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Butchers Creek and North Johnstone are both Tablelands Regional Council suburbs, sitting 47.2 km and 47.6 km from Cairns CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Butchers Creek runs $374 a year cheaper than North Johnstone, driven mostly by home insurance. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $4,288.
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 →Butchers Creek
North Johnstone
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Butchers Creek | North Johnstone | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,189 | $1,189 | - |
| Water & sewerage stand-in | $1,765 | $1,765 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $6,762 | $6,736 | +$26 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $6,800 | $7,200 | -$400 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $1,500 | $1,800 | -$300 |
| Total (driving) | $16,516 | $16,890 | -$374 |
| Total (public transport) | $9,946 | $10,346 | -$400 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Butchers Creek's water charge is Cairns Regional Council Water & Sewerage's, standing in until its own council's schedule is loaded. North Johnstone's water charge is Cairns Regional Council Water & Sewerage's, standing in until its own council's schedule is loaded. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Butchers Creek | North Johnstone | 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 — Butchers Creek vs North Johnstone (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Butchers Creek costs $374 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $4,288 in favour of Butchers Creek.
The biggest single gap is home insurance at $400 per year.
On public transport the gap is $400 per year, $9,946 from Butchers Creek versus $10,346 from North Johnstone.
Where the difference actually comes from
- Council rates is identical at $1,189 a year.
- Water and sewerage is identical at $1,765 a year.
- Driving commute favours North Johnstone by $26 a year, $6,736 against $6,762.
- Building insurance favours Butchers Creek by $400 a year, $6,800 against $7,200.
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 | Butchers Creek cumulative | North Johnstone cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $16,516 | $16,890 | $374 |
| Year 3 | $51,049 | $52,205 | $1,156 |
| Year 5 | $87,686 | $89,671 | $1,985 |
| Year 10 | $189,337 | $193,625 | $4,288 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Butchers Creek or North Johnstone cheaper to live in?
Butchers Creek is cheaper to run by car at $16,516 per year versus $16,890 for North Johnstone, a difference of $374 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Butchers Creek and North Johnstone?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,189 in Butchers Creek (Tablelands Regional Council) and $1,189 in North Johnstone (Tablelands Regional Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,765 in Butchers Creek and $1,765 in North Johnstone. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Butchers Creek and North Johnstone?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,762 from Butchers Creek and $6,736 from North Johnstone to Cairns CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Butchers Creek and $192 from North Johnstone.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Butchers Creek and North Johnstone?
At 3% annual cost growth, Butchers Creek costs a cumulative $189,337 and North Johnstone costs $193,625 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $4,288 in favour of Butchers Creek. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Butchers Creek and North Johnstone 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: Tablelands Regional Council and Tablelands 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.