Cairns North vs Manunda: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates 2026-27 (QLD), ATO 91c/km, Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Cairns North and Manunda are both Cairns Regional Council suburbs, sitting 2.4 km and 3.1 km from Cairns CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $27 a year of each other to run, so running cost is a minor factor here. The decision comes down to schools, risk and lifestyle, all in the free report.
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 →Cairns North
Manunda
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Cairns North | Manunda | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,166 | $1,166 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,765 | $1,765 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $814 | $1,041 | -$227 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $6,200 | $6,000 | +$200 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $4,800 | $2,200 | +$2,600 |
| Total (driving) | $9,945 | $9,972 | -$27 |
| Total (public transport) | $9,323 | $9,123 | +$200 |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 91c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: minimum residential general rate (QLD).
| Dwelling | Cairns North | Manunda | 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 — Cairns North vs Manunda (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Cairns North and Manunda cost within $27 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $310, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $227 per year. Manunda is 3.1 km from Cairns CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 91c/km.
On public transport the gap is $200 per year, $9,323 from Cairns North versus $9,123 from Manunda.
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 Cairns North by $227 a year, $814 against $1,041.
- Building insurance favours Manunda by $200 a year, $6,000 against $6,200.
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.
The catchment state school scores 6.4 in Cairns North against 1 in Manunda, on ACARA's ICSEA percentile scaled to ten.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Cairns North cumulative | Manunda cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $9,945 | $9,972 | $27 |
| Year 3 | $30,739 | $30,822 | $83 |
| Year 5 | $52,799 | $52,943 | $144 |
| Year 10 | $114,008 | $114,318 | $310 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Cairns North or Manunda cheaper to live in?
Cairns North is cheaper to run by car at $9,945 per year versus $9,972 for Manunda, a difference of $27 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 91c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Cairns North and Manunda?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,166 in Cairns North (Cairns Regional Council) and $1,166 in Manunda (Cairns Regional Council). Water and sewerage adds $1,765 in Cairns North and $1,765 in Manunda. 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 Manunda?
Annual driving commute costs are $814 from Cairns North and $1,041 from Manunda to Cairns CBD (ATO 91c/km). Public transport costs $192 from Cairns North and $192 from Manunda.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Cairns North and Manunda?
At 3% annual cost growth, Cairns North costs a cumulative $114,008 and Manunda costs $114,318 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $310 in favour of Cairns North. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Cairns North and Manunda 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 91c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.