Cairns North vs Edge Hill: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 88c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Cairns North and Edge Hill are both Cairns Regional Council suburbs, sitting 2.4 km and 4.3 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
Cairns North runs $888 a year cheaper than Edge Hill, driven mostly by the commute. Over 10 years at 3% growth that gap compounds to about $10,180.
Over 10 years, Cairns North costs about $10,200 less to run than Edge Hill — the same as paying $10,200 less for the home. It's the cost no listing shows you.
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Edge Hill
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Cairns North | Edge Hill | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,165 | $1,165 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,765 | $1,765 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $787 | $1,375 | -$588 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $6,200 | $6,500 | -$300 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $4,800 | $2,200 | +$2,600 |
| Total (driving) | $9,917 | $10,805 | -$888 |
| Total (public transport) | $9,322 | $9,622 | -$300 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Cairns North | Edge Hill | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,218 | $2,218 | - |
| Unit | $1,773 | $1,773 | - |
Estimated from AER residential benchmarks for each suburb's climate zone at 2025 rates (QLD 30c/kWh, NSW 33c/kWh incl. supply charge; unit ≈ 75% of a house). Get the free report for a breakdown by your exact number of occupants.
Cost breakdown chart
Annual cost breakdown — Cairns North vs Edge Hill (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Cairns North costs $888 less per year to run by car. Held over ten years at 3% annual cost growth, that gap compounds to $10,180 in favour of Cairns North.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $588 per year. Edge Hill is 4.3 km from Brisbane CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 88c/km.
On public transport the gap is $300 per year, $9,322 from Cairns North versus $9,622 from Edge Hill.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Cairns North cumulative | Edge Hill cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $9,917 | $10,805 | $888 |
| Year 3 | $30,652 | $33,397 | $2,745 |
| Year 5 | $52,651 | $57,365 | $4,714 |
| Year 10 | $113,687 | $123,867 | $10,180 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Cairns North or Edge Hill cheaper to live in?
Cairns North is cheaper to run by car at $9,917 per year versus $10,805 for Edge Hill, a difference of $888 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Cairns North and Edge Hill?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,165 in Cairns North (Cairns Regional Council) and $1,165 in Edge Hill (Cairns Regional Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,765 in Cairns North and $1,765 in Edge Hill. Both figures are the minimum residential general rate; properties on higher land value pay more.
How does the commute cost compare between Cairns North and Edge Hill?
Annual driving commute costs are $787 from Cairns North and $1,375 from Edge Hill to Brisbane CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Cairns North and $192 from Edge Hill.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Cairns North and Edge Hill?
At 3% annual cost growth, Cairns North costs a cumulative $113,687 and Edge Hill costs $123,867 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $10,180 in favour of Cairns North. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Cairns North and Edge Hill 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 88c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.