Cairns North vs Manunda: 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 Manunda are both Cairns Regional Council suburbs, sitting 2.4 km and 3.1 km from Brisbane CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $20 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 | $1,165 | $1,165 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,765 | $1,765 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $787 | $1,007 | -$220 |
| Commute (public transport) | $192 | $192 | - |
| Home insurance | $6,200 | $6,000 | +$200 |
| Body corporate (unit) | $4,800 | $2,200 | +$2,600 |
| Total (driving) | $9,917 | $9,937 | -$20 |
| Total (public transport) | $9,322 | $9,122 | +$200 |
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 | Manunda | 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 Manunda (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Cairns North and Manunda cost within $20 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $230, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $220 per year. Manunda is 3.1 km from Brisbane CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 88c/km.
On public transport the gap is $200 per year, $9,322 from Cairns North versus $9,122 from Manunda.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Cairns North cumulative | Manunda cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $9,917 | $9,937 | $20 |
| Year 3 | $30,652 | $30,714 | $62 |
| Year 5 | $52,651 | $52,757 | $106 |
| Year 10 | $113,687 | $113,917 | $230 |
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 $9,917 per year versus $9,937 for Manunda, a difference of $20 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 Manunda?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,165 in Cairns North (Cairns Regional Council) and $1,165 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 $787 from Cairns North and $1,007 from Manunda to Brisbane CBD (ATO 88c/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 $113,687 and Manunda costs $113,917 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $230 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 88c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.